




















































































































































































































































































































































o Cw) +> 

6 ^ % * 



- ^ 



' * * S ^ ^ V * 0 f 


r* 

c# * ^ * °/ ' ** sS 0 o^ *»> ' V s o 0 ^ ^" *°\V * * ’ o° v * 

V *- ,<3 <5i * r <? <5i O ^Ji> v» r f3 5) * ^ v- 

“ W :.M- t ^ 

* & % .. 

o, ^ *’ ' -** - '■ 






_ ,* «/ % % 

, s .^LT - *t, , s \Cy . ** , s 

" o°V ” (?V«*»•'.% <pv 

' l5urf ....... z 





V V»v.„, -•"'' v \* ,•.*<>,°% 

° %> <<y * c z <fr<<y « ° 9r <<y 

o cb 

. * # 3 ^ % 

'' -# >>/7.V #' 

r 0 v ^ v " 0 /■ r 0 v «. v * 0 /- 

v^ ^ ^ ^ /ji) v ^ 

« 




7 0> 'i* •; 

\* iT °' s ''A\'°°^%'' j * *' 

_ ^ * «2 5s * ^ 



%. A 



VN .V> 


& 


; A : , 

°- ^7f!T'' A <b'" x .-. o 

V v *. * * o ^ ^ 

A* 


° C*b A* -> 

»* ,-A ^ % 

C 0 V * Y * 0 ' ^ 

o* .'Ai^U ’’W 

° ^ 



- %c~ A 

“ ’?/• 


° ^cb , ^> > < ^^[if|:inii||^^ o ^ y^mnfii^ *> cb 

.^V ■<» ^ ^ -A‘ ^ r ^ ^ 

''..s' .-f 0 A^,,s' # ^ "-J ..s' A G 

^ c? ,*:;*'. ^ ct.* y: f .% cf^‘°' 

" WA ^ * ^ #/u '• \ 0 ^ - .* “- - ‘ • 




. ^ %'WSfs <J? 

"O, V iT,s s \V 9^ ''s** S s ^ 

< /h <"' ^ A't* rxfV^# 1 A* 0 Ax 

^/A e ° z %> 

5> ^ 








71 



**'■ V v ,v»,°%" J ** s ' 

^ ^ *■ V. ^ <0 5, *_ ^ 


O 





O cb ><^U > 


* 


v> 



^ y ** % 


9>, .\v 

^ V v o ^ * o 



^ X * 0 „ 


V .V, M’ gi 

^ ^.ftfts'* ^ 9x 

,\> ** * 0. , 




^7* s s A Gr 

^CV a. * 




2 




, z ^, <{. c b,''x 

, •%' V r' *», -v 


■V 


0 


_ zl 

0 c3 ^ -* O cb -• A^:||l;1p7 « c C) ^ “ 

■0 V » •■ *», A? ( * *' 0°' '- ’ " ° a .9o °' ' A » ’ * ° f ^ ” * ” 

■ o %. ^ :£Mh.° -%.<$ 



u % 

fA\ \*+ : 




: ^ <& 

°o,'"AAA <b '♦/..'s'* A °o,'"AT *.' ’ ■-* 

" « * V % ^ 4V7 % 

° 9r V s ^' v$? K n 



A 


O cb -k 

.# ^ V . 

-P V % 1 * 0 , ‘ ‘ * ' .(S G 





“ ^ A 

° cb ^ - 1 

^ G # ^ \ 

^^•’.cPV 


O 


O cb ^K u 

''^ - AA-'A 

r 0 v ^ 
V> 



'' V ^° ’** ^‘”' ,0^,'*-, ^ 

. % a 4¥/ii' r ' ^ v 

.° , A ^ : > els .* A 4 

" <7.V' V A «b,'"- t! sO 7 9j '"xA^ A % u 

\\ * « n Y> ^*0, V CL Y A 0 A ^ 




°/.% '**; \> r ***o, ■".* \>' ^ 



























































e* "fL. v- 
> J L » 



<A Z 

- ^ 












v. <V *' ..S''A C 

,; »'• % c? 

• : 


^ '%>, <t 

*- # <3* . 

, ••'' \<$ r ' . c o.'''^?T'.' ' \A c b/*t f T?s'-' ■& c b U^T'' °o, 

V >*- ' * 0 /• V *. Y * 0 r *1^ V ^ * * 0 /• -'U V ^ Y 0 f % 

-6 r a *r Xu C ^ <S^ U X- z. ~ ^ ^ * 

# * jSsM.A o Xv> * A¥A "o ‘ 







■*W - r 


V/> \ 


*9- -* 

% 

v y y*pT' -v /- • 

*' -t * o s s 

* 0 /• X* rO 9- 


o c5> ^ 





o V v *. Y * 0 /> ^ 

♦ ^ z- Y* ^ * C 

^ AV 

® « 





• S X 9u *•* 
& 



,w/v 

. . , A V m * * * ’ \V 7/y * * S s 9u 

*-*»--- A * .vw*v %. ^ *UWa>„ .oS- T -* “ * 



% \* 


O cS y^» 



O C^ -* 

^ r# ^ *' 



; </A 




Xu 0° v * 



* -y ”U \ 

T „ l‘> % o° 

*,.<$■ :£em'° ^ ^ ‘ 

Z ,4a 



v % . 0 .r^v * 


„ «S? % V 

s \VJ> ^ ^ J S S 

■'“°\ % ” 6^sVi r >f% ° 

/■ <j5 <3* 

^ o> v ^ v ' 0 s / ^m* r s S r> ^ s ’ 9 - 

'" /^..A"*''/,*-, % "* s <> '' , ‘,°\% **. v • 



° ^ 0^ 


z 


H, a 


,V- ^ 
























































































HISTORY OF WILKINSON 
COUNTY 

































































































































































































































































■ 














































\ 





VICTOR DAVIDSON 








IND0(R> 




.W75Has 


Copyright, 1930 
By 

VICTOR DAVIDSON 










flUG 25 1930 © cu 26858 



The Wilkinson County territory of the Do Soto day I, 



Wilkinson County Territory us a part of the Great Creek Confed¬ 
eracy. 














1. The narrow strip east of the Indian Boundary line comprised 
the Wilkinson county of 1803, but all the remainder of the lands 
south of the line running from Ft. Wilkinson to the Ocmulgee River 
was added in 1806. 

2. In 1807 the vast area was cut up into a number of counties 
and for the two years following Wilkinson county consisted of the 
territory extending from river to river and bounded by the lines 

In 1809 this was cut in two by the line and Twiggs county 

formed. 

At various times portions of Wilkinson county have been added to 
Baldwin. 













































TABLE OF CONTENTS 


Chapter 


Page 


I—THE INDIAN ERA OF WILKINSON COUNTY . 13 

II—DeSOTO’S VISIT TO WILKINSON COUNTY . 16 

Wilkinson County’s First War Expedition, 18. 

III— INDIAN TRIBES .. 20 

Oconee, 20 ; The Muskogean Invasion, 22 ; The Uchees, 23. 

IV— OLD TRAILS . 26 

River Crossings and Ferries, 28 ; The Old Federal Trail, 28. 

V—REVOLUTIONARY AND POST REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD . 29 

John Galphin’s Famous Ride, 33. 

VI—McGILLIVRAY’S VICTORY AT ROCK LANDING . 35 

VII—SPANISH AND BRITISH INTRIGUES—THE FALL OF 

McGILLIVRAY . 45 

VIII—INDIAN WAR CLOUDS GATHERING . 52 

A Flood as An Ally, 55 ; Chickasaw War, 55 ; King Payne Makes 

P63.CG 56 

IX—EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS . 58 

Benjamin Harrison, 59; The Chehaw Indians Defeat Major 
Brenton's Expedition, 60. 

X—THE ADAMS INSURRECTION . 62 

XI—CLARKE’S EXPEDITION AGAINST FLORIDA . 72 

XII—ELIJAH CLARKE’S REPUBLIC . 82 

XIII— TRANS-OCONEE LANDS LAID OFF IN DISTRICTS . 92 

XIV— THE HARRISON MASSACRE OF THE UCHEES . 97 

XV—EFAU HAUJO FINDS THE REMEDY FOR HORSE STEALING.... 103 

XVI—TRESPASSING ON THE INDIAN LANDS . 107 


The Lamar Insurrection, 111. 

XVII—THE TREATY OF FORT WILKINSON . 

Ceremonies of the Indians and Talks Delivered by Efau Haujo, 
The Mad Dog of the Tuckabaches Chief Speaker of the Creeks 
at the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson, 120. 

XVIII—DISSATISFACTION IN GEORGIA . 

Unrest Among the Creeks, 129 ; The Ooseoochee Convention, 130. 

XIX—THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW LANDS . 

The Rush of Settlers, 134; Attempts to Purchase More Lands, 
136 ; Hawkins Treaty in 1804, 138 ; Treaty of Washington, 139 ; 
Wilkinson County Should Have Contained the Capital, 140; 
Fraudulent Speculators, 141; The First Wilkinson County Scan¬ 
dal, 142; Defense Against the Indians, 142. 

XX—THE CREATION OF A COUNTY GOVERNMENT . 

The First Court, 145 ; The Carving of Wilkinson Into More 
Counties, 147; Wilkinson Changed to the Ocmulgee Circuit, 149. 

XXI—SELECTING THE COUNTY SITE . 

XXII—THE MILITIA ORGANIZED . 

Militia Districts, 159 ; The Militia Captains, 160 ; The Virginia 
and Carolina Settlers, 162. 

XXIII—EARLY CHURCHES . 

The Early Baptist Churches, 163; Early Methodism in Wilkin¬ 
son, 165. 

XXIV—THE SCHOOLS OF WILKINSON COUNTY . 

Early Development, 168 ; Mt. Etna, 168 ; The County Academy, 
169 ; The First Brick School House, 171 ; The Poor Schools, 173 ; 
The “Deestrick” School, 175 ; Academies, 176 ; Black Creek— 
Liberty Hill—Mount Pleasant—Union Hill—Griffin District— 
High Hill—Turkey Creek—Lafayette—Washington—Harrison 
—Cool Spring—Talmage Normal Institute, 177 ; The Origin of 
the Compulsory Education Law, 178 ; Early Teachers, 179. 

XXV—WAR PREPARATIONS IN WILKINSON . 

The Building of the Hartford Road, 181 ; Wilkinson County’s 
Part in the War of 1812, 182 ; Wilkinson County Threatened by 


the Indians, 184. 

XXVI—THE POST WAR BOOM . 

XXVII—THE BUILDING OF IRWINTON . 

XXVIII—POLITICS, 1812 TO 1860 . ...... 

The King-Troupe Senatorial Race of 1844, 201 ; Cumming-Cars- 
well Senatorial Race, 202 ; The Wilkinson Resolution, 204 ; Slav¬ 
ery and Plantations in Wilkinson, 205 ; The Public Roads, 210. 


112 

129 

133 

144 

150 

157 

163 

168 


181 


194 

197 

200 





























6 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Chapter 


Page 


XXIX—IMPORTANT EVENTS . 213 

Decrease in Population, 213 ; Early Post Offices, 213 ; The Great 
Fire of 1831—Early Members of the Bar—LaFayette’s Visit, 

214; The Death of LaFayette, 215; Jesse Vaughn’s Buried Jug 
of Gold, 216 ; James M. Smith, 216 ; Early Fruit Orchards, 216 ; 

The First Physician, 217. 

XXX—THE CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILROAD . 218 

The Building of the Central of Georgia Railroad, 219; The 
Growth of Towns Along the Right-of-Way, 221; Wriley, Gordon. 

XXXI—WAR CLOUDS OF 1860 . 223 

XXXII—THE WILKINSON MILITIA AT THE OUTBREAK OF 

THE WAR.,. 227 

Co. F, 3rd Georgia—Organization of Company I, 231; Ramah 
Guards, 232; Company A, of the 49th Georgia, 234. 

XXXIII—COMPANIES D, I AND K OF THE 57th GEORGIA 

REGIMENT. 235 

Vicksburg, 236. 

XXXIV—CONDITIONS IN WILKINSON DURING THE WAR . 240 

Scarcity of Salt, 241; The Smallpox Epidemic, 241; Value of 
Slaves 245 

XXXV—WITH THE WILKINSON COUNTY COMPANIES IN 

VIRGINIA . 249 

Cedar Run—Second Manassas, 250 ; Chancellorsville, 252 ; Get¬ 
tysburg, 253; In Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Wilderness, 

255 ; Spotsylvania. 

XXXVI—THE WAR REACHES WILKINSON . 258 


Stoneman’s Raiders, 258; Co. D 8th Ga. and Co. H, 2nd Ga., 
258 ; Sherman’s Burning of Irwinton, 262; Pillaging the Homes 
of Wilkinson, 265 ; When Big Sandy Swamp Was No Man’s Land, 
266 ; Battle at River Bridge, 267 ; Ball’s Ferry Skirmish, 267 ; 


War Heroines of Wilkinson, 268. 

XXXVII—THE ESCAPE OF BOB TOOMBS . 271 

XXXVIII—RECONSTRUCTION DAYS IN WILKINSON . 273 

Arrest of Citizens, 275 ; The Klan’s Last Meeting, 277 ; Prohi¬ 
bition in Wilkinson, 278; Newspapers, 279. 

APPENDIX 

APPENDIX . 281 

TREATY AT FORT WILKINSON IN 1802 . 283 

WILKINSON COUNTY—LIST OF OFFICERS . 286 


Justices of the Inferior Court, 286 ; Tax Receivers, 287; Tax Collectors, 
287 ; Surveyors, 287; Clerks of the Superior Court, 288 ; Coroners, 288 ; 
Sheriffs, 288 ; Clerks of the Inferior Court, 288 ; Treasurers, 289 ; Represen¬ 
tatives, 289 ; Commissioners of Roads and Revenues, 289 ; County School 


Commissioners, 290 ; Ordinary—Senators, 290. 

RECORDS OF WILLS AND ESTATES . 291 

Wills—Records of Returns, 1820-1828, 1848-1853, 291 ; 1828-1838, 292 ; 1838- 
1848, 293 ; 1853-1858, 294; Estates, 1853-’58, 295 ; 1849-1853, 296 ; 1838-1848, 

297 ; 1820-1828, 298. 

EXTRACTS FROM MARRIAGE RECORDS, 1819-1865 . 301 

Marriage Records Reversed, 355. 

CELEBRATION OF FOURTH OF JULY AT IRWINTON, 1831 . 370 

Clippings from Ga. Journal, July 14, 1831, 370. 

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE E'BENEZER ASSOCIATION TAKEN FROM 
REGULAR FILE OF MINUTES BY WILEY SHEPHERD . 373 

CHURCH HISTORIES . 380 


Mt. Nebo, 380 ; Ramah, 380 ; Liberty, 383 ; Mt. Olive, 383; Oakdale, 383 ; 
Toomsboro Baptist, 384; Walnut Creek, 384 ; Bethel, 384; Mt. Carmel, 384 ; 
Aisbury, 384; New Providence, 385 ; Poplar Springs, 385 ; Old Chapel, 385 ; 

Old Hopewell, 385; The Irwinton Churches, 385; Red Level, 386 ; Union 
Methodist, 387 ; Toomsboro Christian, 387 ; Myrtle Springs, 387 ; Pleasant 
Plains, 388 ; Friendship, 389 ; The Toomsboro M. E., 389. 

HISTORY OF TOWNS IN WILKINSON COUNTY : 

Danville, 390 ; Allentown 391 ; Gordon, 392. 

ROSTER OF THE WILKINSON COUNTY COMPANIES IN THE 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES . 395 

Muster Roll of Co. I, 3rd Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf., 395 ; Co. F, 3rd Reg. Ga. Vol. 

Inf., 399; Ramah Guards, 403; Co. A, 49th Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf. Army of 
Northern Va. Wilkinson County, Wilkinson Invincibles, 406; Co. I, 57th 
Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf. Army of Tennessee, Laurens and Wilkinson County, 





















HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


7 


Chapter Page 

Buckaloo Rifles, 411 ; Co. D, 57th Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf. 414 ; Co. K, 57th Reg. 

Ga. Vol. Inf. Army of Tennessee, 417 ; Co. H, 2nd Reg. 1st Brigade Ga. State 
Troops, Commanded by Col. R. L. Storey, 421; Co. D, 8th Reg. Ga. Militia, 

422 

THE DEATH OF A WILKINSON COUNTY SOLDIER IN VIRGINIA. 424 

KIRKPATRICK’S TRIAL . 426 


GENEALOGICAL APPENDIX 

GENEALOGICAL APPENDIX . 431 

The John Ball Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 433. 

John Ball, 434. 

Gordon Woman’s Club, 435. 

Robert Toombs Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy, 436. 

Wilkinson County Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy, 437. 


Adams, W. C. Family, 438. 

Allen, Willis, 440. 

Bacon, Nathaniel Hunter, 441. 

Baum, Alexander and Amelia Fried, 
443. 

Beall, James Morris, 444. 

Bell, Ross Augustus, 445. 

Billue, The Family, 447. 

Bloodworth, John Pink, 449. 
Bloodworth, John Fleming, 450. 

Boone, Family, 455. 

Bower, James C. and Related Families, 
460; The Davis Family, 462; John 
Eady, 462. 

Branan, Caswell, 464. 

Broadfield, Mrs. Fannie Burney, 466. 
Brooks, J. W., Sr., 468. 

Brooks, J. W., Jr., 469. 

Bryan, William Henry, 471. 

Bugg, Mrs. Maude Taylor, 472. 

Burke, Daniel, 473. 

Butler, Joseph Edward, 475. 

Carswell, George Henry, 477. 

Cason, Levi Richardson, 482. 

Chambers, William Irwin, 483. 
Chambers, Franklin, 485. 

Chambers, Andrew, 487. 

Cliett, Homer Adolphus, 488. 

Culpepper, Charles, 490. 

Daughtry, George Orinthus Allen, 493. 
Davidson, Mrs. Martha Jane (Hogan), 
495. 

Davidson, John Thomas, 496. 

Davidson, Victor, 497. 

Davidson, Mrs. Victor, 498. 

Davis, John Seaborn, 499. 

Everett, George W., 487. 

Fountain - Garrett - Knight, 501 ; Pro¬ 
logue, 501; Fountain Family Chart, 
503; Garrett, 506; Garrett Family 
Chart, 509; Knight, 517; Knight 
Family Chart, 519. 

Freeman, Mrs. Annie Tarpley, 523. 
Gibson, Dr. Thomas, 524. 

Gifford, Gay Family, 525. 

Gilmore, Byington, 528. 
Hall-Freeman-Hall, 532; Hansford A. 
Hall, 532; Thomas Madison Free¬ 
man, 533; Willie Alford Hall, 535. 
Hall, John Marvin, 538. 

Hatcher, Major John and His Descend¬ 
ants, 540. 

Hicks, The Family, 545. 


Holloman (Holliman) Family, 546. 
Hooks, Charles, 547. 

Hooks, John Wesley, 549. 

Hooks, Mrs. John Wesley, 550. 
Hubbard, Eli Bartow, 552. 

Hughes, Rev. Green Berry, 553. 
Hughes, Haywood Donaldson, 557. 
Hughs, Nathaniel, 558. 

Isenberg, Sol, 559. 

Ivey, Rev. B. H., 560. 

Johnson, Emile, 561. 

Jones, William Allen, 563. 

King, The John Family, 564. 

Kinney, William Oscar, 565. 

Kitchens, Mrs. Julia Porter, 567. 
Lamb, Mrs. Nancy Caroline Ward, 568. 
Land, Mrs. Georgia Elvenia Burke, 569. 
Lee, Family Chart, 570. 

Lee, The Family, 571. 

Lee, The Family and Its Descendants, 
573. 

Lee, Walter Washington, Sr., 579. 

Lee, William Greene, Biographical 
Sketch, 581. 

Lee, Sidney Warren, 583. 

Lewis, The Family, 586. 

Lindsey, John William, 589. 

Manson, Orian Wood, 590. 

McArthur, John, 591. 

McGinty, William Thomas, 593. 
Meredith, 595. 

Nesbit, Alexander H. and Sarah Jane 
* (Johnston), 596. 

Patterson, William Craven, 597. 
Pittman, Rev. James Lee, 599. 

Player, Leon P., 600. 

Porter, John Floyd, 602. 

Pugh, Ruth Whipple, 603. 

Rivers, Joel, 605. 

Ryle, William B., 606. 

Sanders, King, 607. 

Sanders, Thurman, 608. 

Stanley, Eddie, 609. 

Stephens, Herbert Eugene, 611. 

Stokes, Joseph Alexander, 613. 

Tigner, Lamar S., 614. 

Todd, John Caldwell Calhoun, 617. 
Whipple, The Family, 619. 

W T hitehurst, Rozar Families, 623 ; 
Whitehurst, 623 ; Wilkinson Mayberry, 
WKitehurst, 623; Rozar, 625. 
Williams, Mamie Emma Wood, 627. 
Williams, William Charles, 628. 






- 























































































































































' 

































































































































ITHOUT intending’ any invidious comparison, the local his¬ 



tory of Wilkinson County written by Victor Davidson, Esq., 


is the best of many I have read. The author has a proper sense of 
proportion in knowing what to put in, what to leave out, what to 
treat in detail, and what to handle in a brief way. His treatment 
of the background is, it seems to me, par excellent. His knowledge 
of Indian affairs, a large part of which is related to the early set¬ 
tlements in Wilkinson, and therefore properly a part of this volume, 
is nevertheless of state-wide interest; and students who wish to 
know more of Georgia’s dealings with the Indians will find here the 
fullest treatment of the subject that has fallen under my eye— 
indeed I know of no other source where the connected story may¬ 
be found, and it has been written in a most attractive style. 

Mr. Davidson has also shown, in the following pages, much of 
the inner life of the people of his county. He has not contented 
himself with mere dates, and names, and of sounding the praises 
of the more prominent ones, but he has portrayed the home life of 
the people and has recorded many of the side lights without which 
no true picture could be presented. 

No history of the entire State can do what these county chronicles 
are doing. The former is limited to a statement of the outstanding 
facts which affect the current of the whole commonwealth; but the 
latter can and should make mention of many things for which there 
would be no place in the other; and yet, it is the lights and shadows 
of the little things that make up the complete portrait. 

His treatment of the part played by the country in the War 
Between the States is especially well done. 

The work has been so thoroughly wrought, and with so much 
pains and accuracy, that the talented writer who is responsible for 
it is entitled not only to the thanks of the people of Wilkinson, but 
of those everywhere who are interested in the history of the State. 


Warren Grice. 




































■ 
















































































. 







. 


























TO MY MOTHER 
who first impressed me with a desire 
to write this book 

and 


TO MY WIFE 

who assisted me in the work 














































































































































































































































































































































HISTORY OF WILKINSON 
COUNTY 

Chapter I 

THE INDIAN ERA OF WILKINSON COUNTY 

T HERE is unmistakable evidence to be found through¬ 
out this section pointing towards the fact that hundreds 
of years ago the country was thickly populated with human 
beings. There are large mounds to be found near Black 
Lake, below the old Oconee Town, south of Milledgeville, 
near Lord’s Lake, several miles farther down the river, 
one near Wriley, one on Cedar Creek near Burke’s Old 
Mill Site, one farther down the creek not far from the 
Dublin and Irwinton Road. There are many places in the 
county where numbers of arrow heads indicate that they 
might be on old battlegrounds of contending tribes. Like¬ 
wise, in the memory of people yet living, there were many 
more indications of Indians to be found years ago which 
are now obliterated. Mrs. J. W. Fordham, who lives near 
Balls Ferry, gave the author the information that during 
her childhood, there was located on the lands now belong¬ 
ing to Mr. Ennis Miller a round tract of ground, packed 
very hard, which was said to have been the place where 
the Indians were accustomed to dance their war dance. 
Mr. J. J. McArthur, of Gordon, tells of there having been 
a similar spot of ground near the Irwinton and Macon 
Road about seven miles from Irwinton on his old home- 
place. Mrs. C. G. Kitchens, tells of an old site resembling 
that of the cliff dwellers near Turkey Creek about two 
miles from Danville from which she digged some bones 
and pottery. Among the things found there was the petri¬ 
fied skeleton of a human being. It had been buried in a sit- 

(13) 


14 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ting position apparently after a number of things had 
been burned near him. Among the ashes were some partly 
burned bones the nature of which she was unable to deter¬ 
mine, also a piece of a metal chain and many arrow¬ 
heads. Some excellent pottery was found in one of the 
mounds near Black Lake several years ago. This pottery 
was sold to the Superintencient of the State Sanitarium at 
Milledgeville at that time. The mounds near Lord’s Lake 
are large and have large flat rocks piled on them. 

According to the hearsays handed down by the past 
generations and told to the author by C. B. Lamb, about 
three hundred years before Wilkinson County was first 
settled by the whites, which would have been about the 
year 1500, the most terrible hurricane that had ever been 
before experienced by the Indians devastated the section 
of the country from the vicinity of Turkey Creek as its 
eastern boundary and extending approximately twenty 
miles in width from this section to the Ocmulgee river, up¬ 
rooting all the monster yellow pines that covered this 
whole section, and almost exterminating the tribes of In¬ 
dians who then dwelt at Allentown and on Turkey Creek, 
so frightening the remainder that they left in a body, 
never again returning to live here. As the tradition goes, 
the yellow pine was not reseeded in this particular section 
but that in its stead the “short-strawed” pine took its 
place, and although this whole section is surrounded by 
lands upon which the yellow pine flourished, never since 
then has it been found here. The tradition says further 
that when the white man first settled here the roots and 
stumps of these old yellow pines could frequently be 
found. 

An old tradition told the author by B. C. Arnold sev¬ 
eral years ago is to the effect that Devil’s Branch near 
Danville was so named by the Indians who were accus¬ 
tomed to go there to hunt, but every time they would go 
there, a hairy monster in the shape of a man and with 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


15 


flaming eyes would chase them away, and for this reason 
they gave it the name of the Devil’s Branch and avoided 
the spot. It will also be noted that this stream flowed near 
the old Indian village at Allentown. 

By the same person, the author was informed that Tur¬ 
key Creek was so designated by the Indians on account of 
the numerous wild turkeys to be found there, and the Buck 
Creek was given that appellation by reason of the deer 
that were always there. 


Chapter II 


DE SOTO’S VISIT TO WILKINSON COUNTY 

T HERE is a vast diversity of opinion as to the route 
taken by De Soto in his journey through this section of 
the State. The map accompanying Irving’s “Conquest of 
Florida” indicates that the route led by way of the present 
city of Macon and thence to Milledgeville, before pro¬ 
ceeding to Silver Bluff near Augusta. Numerous writers 
accept and follow this theory. 

Still others among whom may be mentioned Stevens, 
in his History of Georgia, frankly admit that it is 
impossible to trace the exact route. The translations of 
Garcilaso, of Biedma, of Elvas and of Ranjel, in the Car¬ 
negie library of Atlanta do not give sufficient data to de¬ 
termine the route absolutely, but these apparently just as 
strongly sustain the opinions of Charles C. Jones, Jr., 
who, in his History of Georgia, indicates the route as 
having led through Coffee or Irwin county, thence cross¬ 
ing the Ocmulgee, on through Laurens and up the Oconee 
for a distance before crossing. There is much data to sus¬ 
tain Jones in this opinion. Pickett in his History of Ala¬ 
bama states that De Soto spent the winter of 1539-40 
near Tallahassee, Florida, and it is agreed by practically 
all modern writers on the subject that the Silver Bluff near 
Augusta is identical with Cofachiqui, and that the general 
direction of De Soto’s line of march was northeast. It will 
be observed that a straight line on the map connecting 
Tallahassee with Augusta, will follow the route suggested 
by Jones. Mention is also frequently made of the Indian 
trail which was followed by this expedition, and over 
which the Indian guides assured De Soto they had pre¬ 
viously traveled the entire distance. This leads us to be¬ 
lieve that it is extremely probable that the old trail, shown 


( 16 ) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


17 


on the Map of 1715 “Plate C” accompanying Swanton’s 
History of the Creek Indians, must have been the same 
trail followed by De Soto. 

Mention is made by Irving and others of the Spaniards 
passing through the province of “Atapaha” or “Alta- 
maca,” and some conclude this was Altamaha. However, 
it is just as probable that this was Alapaha, as the river of 
this name crosses the route suggested by Jones, while the 
Altamaha river is much farther to the east of the route. 
After leaving Atapaha the next province the Spaniards 
reached was Ocute. Swanton in his History of the Creek 
Indians gives his opinion that Ocute and Hitchitee are 
synonymous and in his map “Plate 1” accompanying his 
History of the Creeks indicates that the territory in the 
forks of the Oconee and Ocmulgee which was later to be¬ 
come the lower portion of Wilkinson County was the pro¬ 
vince of the Ocute of De Soto. Some idea of the populous 
condition of the country is given when the chieftain of 
Ocutes sent a deputation of two thousand Indians to meet 
De Soto carrying with them as presents, rabbits, part¬ 
ridges and dogs. When De Soto arrived at his town he 
gave up his mansion to the Governor. 

All the writers mention the fertility of the soil, the 
plentiful supply of food and game, as well as the hospi¬ 
tality of the people of Ocute or Cofa. The location of the 
town of Ocute or Cofa is fixed by Jones as being in the 
present Laurens County, formerly Wilkinson County. It 
was here that De Soto astounded the Indians by pointing a 
cannon at a tree and with two shots cut it down. Before 
leaving, the cannon being too heavy to carry, he presented 
it to the chief. 

The adjoining province on De Soto’s route was Cofaqui 
and was ruled by the brother of Ocute, but much more 
rich and powerful. Starting thither he was accompanied 
by four hundred Indians sent by the chieftain as burden 
bearers, and a messenger was also despatched to the 


18 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Chief of Cofaqui acquainting him of the approach of the 
visitors. 

If Jones is correct, then it is probable that Old Oconee 
Town is identical with Cofaqui. 

The Chief of this province advanced to meet De Soto 
with a retinue of richly decorated warriors with head¬ 
dresses of tall plumes, and rich mantels of martin skins. 
He, too, gave up his mansion to De Soto. 

This chief tried in vain to dissuade De Soto from going 
on to the northeast telling him of the great wilderness in¬ 
tervening. Failing in this he sent scouts out and assembled 
eight thousand of his subjects to accompany De Soto, four 
thousand as soldiers and four thousand retainers to carry 
supplies. 

WILKINSON county’s FIRST WAR EXPEDITION 

At the sight of so many armed Indians the Spaniards 
were alarmed but it soon developed that the wily old 
king had determined to make use of the Spanish army in 
wreaking a vengeance upon the inhabitants of Cofachiqui 
who were perpetually at war with his tribesmen and who 
frequently worsted them in battle. Calling his war chief, 
Patofa, he made known to him his plan. Irving in his 
“Conquest of Florida” gives a most vivid picture of this 
occasion: 

“The Indian leader, whose name was Patofa, was of a 
graceful form and striking features. His expression was 
haughty and noble, promising dauntless courage for war, 
and gentleness and kindness in peace. His whole de¬ 
meanor showed that the cacique had not unwisely be¬ 
stowed his trust. He rose, and throwing aside his mantle 
of skin, seized a broadsword made of palmwood, which a 
servant carried behind him, as a badge of his rank. He cut 
and thrust with it, as skilfully as a master of fence, much 
to the admiration of the Spaniards. After going through 
many singular evolutions, he stopped suddenly before the 
cacique and made a profound reverence. ‘I pledge my 
word,’ said he, ‘to fulfill your commands as far as in my 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


19 


power; and I promise, by the favor of the strangers, to re¬ 
venge the insults, the deaths, and the losses, our fathers 
have sustained from the natives of Cofachiqui. My ven¬ 
geance shall be such, that the memory of past evils shall 
be wiped away for ever. My daring to reappear in your 
presence, will be a token that your commands have been 
executed. For, should the fates deny my hopes, never 
again shall you behold me, never again shall the sun shine 
upon me! If the enemy deny me death, my own hand will 
find the road! I will inflict upon myself the punishment my 
cowardice or evil fortune will merit!’ ” 

Not only was Patofa an orator but he was a born 
leader. The discipline he maintained over his eight thou¬ 
sand Indians equalled that of De Soto over his Spaniards, 
and his posting of sentinels, the order and regularity of 
his army was such that the Spaniards were in constant 
dread of their allies. 

After losing the way and wandering for several days a 
frontier village of Cofachiqui was found and De Soto en¬ 
camped for several days: 

“During which time Patofa and his warriors were not 
idle, but, sallying forth stealthily, ravaged the country for 
leagues round about, slaying and scalping man, woman, 
and child, sacking and pillaging villages and hamlets, tem¬ 
ples and sepulchres, and refraining only from setting fire 
to them, through fear that the flames might betray their 
doings to the Spaniards. 

“When De Soto heard of this cruel ravage, he made all 
haste to get rid of his bloody allies. Sending for Patofa, he 
thanked him for his friendly conduct and valuable escort; 
and giving him presents of knives, trinkets, and clothing, 
for himself and his cacique, dismissed him and his fol¬ 
lowers. 

“The savage warriors set off on his return, well pleased 
with the presents, but still more gratified at having fulfilled 
the vow of vengeance made to his chieftain.” (Irving’s 
Conquest of Florida, p. 216.) 


Chapter III 


INDIAN TRIBES 

S WANTON in his history of the Creek Indians indicates 
several tribes here. The Oconee tribe whose town was a 
few miles below the present town of Milledgeville and lo¬ 
cated, according to the Purcell map, on the sharp bend in 
the river, about midway between the mouths of Buck 
Creek and Town Creek in the original Wilkinson County. 
Swanton’s maps also locate the Tamali and Hitchiti 
towns near the forks of the Oconee and Ocmulgee and the 
Chiaha town in approximately the vicinity of Hawkins- 
ville. There was, according to Mrs. Sarah Allen, of Allen¬ 
town, who was near ninety years of age at her death, an 
old Indian village at Allentown, where two trails crossed* 
and that there are still to be found indications of the 
burial ground. 

There is a tradition that once a tribe of Indians built 
their village on the creek which flows into the river just 
above Dublin and that a great drought came, preventing 
any crops from being grown and the whole tribe almost 
starved, so that the survivors moved away, but before 
leaving named the creek, Hunger and Hardship, which 
name it bears to this day. 

It is also said that there was an Indian village on 
what is known as Bear Camp Branch near Irwinton. Like¬ 
wise there was another on the homeplace of J. T. Dupree, 
Sr., six miles west of Irwinton. 

THE OCONEE TRIBE 

It is probable that Spanish explorers and priests 
traveled through this country, as they had a mission 
among the Indians south of the junction of the Oconee 
and Ocmulgee rivers. The Missionary Pareja mentions 
this tribe in 1602, and in 1608 Governor of Florida* 

(20) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


21 


Ibarra, again mentions this tribe. The next time we hear of 
the Oconee Indians is in 1695, when, in order to avenge an 
invasion made by the Indians of this section against some 
of the Spanish Indians, seven Spaniards at the head of 
four hundred Indians invaded this country, and among the 
towns captured was Oconee Town. 

Wilkinson county can justly lay claim to having for 
centuries belonged to the most remarkable tribe of In¬ 
dians that has ever dwelt on the American continent, a 
tribe whose loyalty to friends and whose hostility to its 
enemies has never been exceeded, whose bitter enmity to 
the Spaniards in Florida and whose friendship for the 
English might have, in no small way, determined the con¬ 
test between these nations for Georgia, in favor of the 
English. 

The Oconee Indians were a part of the old Hitchitee 
group, and according to their traditions was the most an¬ 
cient of the tribes dwelling in this section: that they 
came across a sea which was narrow and frozen and 
traveled from there toward the east until they reached 
the Atlantic Ocean, seeking in vain for the place from 
which the sun came. 

The fact that the Oconees were of the Hitchitee stock, 
that the Ocute of De Soto and Hitchitee are synonymous 
and the further fact that the chief of Cofaqui was the 
brother of the chief of Ocute, lends color to the idea that 
the town of Cofaqui visited by De Soto is none other than 
our Oconee town. 

It is not known how the enmity arose between the 
Oconee Indians and the Spaniards, but it is possible the in¬ 
vasion in 1695 might have intensified it. History shows no 
deadlier hatred of one people for another than that of the 
Oconee Indians towards the Spaniards. We find them at 
every opportunity venting their hatred against every thing 
that pertained to Spain. Even the Indians friendly to that 
nation shared in their undying animosity. It is possible 


22 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


that this feeling of the Oconees and their allied tribes pre¬ 
vented the Spaniards from obtaining a foothold here. 

As contrasted with the Spaniards, the English after 
planting settlements in the Carolinas made friends with 
the Oconees, and established trading posts among the In¬ 
dians of this section. As history shows no greater capacity 
for hatred than that of the Oconees for the Spaniards, at 
the same time, it shows no greater loyalty than that of the 
Oconees for the English, a loyalty that existed for cen¬ 
turies. This was tested in 1702 when the Spaniards and 
Indians were on their way to destroy the English settle¬ 
ments in the Carolinas, and the English traders and Creek 
Indians defeated them. In the following year they united 
with the English against the Spaniards. In order to avoid 
having friction, they gave up their town on the Oconee 
River about 1715 and moved to the Chattahoochee. We 
find the Oconee chieftain, Oueekachumpa, or “Long 
King” in the council held by Oglethorpe in 1733 and in 
this council he claims kinship with Tomochichi. Secoffee, 
or “Cowkeeper” who succeeded Oueekachumpa seems to 
have continued this friendship and we find him moving to 
Florida and spending most of his time fighting Spaniards, 
as did his nephew, Payne, who succeeded him and for 
whose services during the Revolution he was given a silver 
crown by the British. Even after the British were driven 
out during the Revolution the Oconee Indians who had 
now moved to Florida where they had formed the nucleus 
around which the Seminole Nation grew, yet they main¬ 
tained their friendship for the English and when the Eng¬ 
lish declared war against the United States in 1812, the 
Oconee sounded the warwhoop on the side of their old al¬ 
lies. Payne who was still king did not wait for the British 
armies to arrive but in 1812 committed depredations 
against the Georgia settlements. 

THE MUSKOGEAN INVASION 
A few years after the visit of De Soto, a hostile invader 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


23 


appeared from the far West. Apparently a great nation 
moved in one body to this section of America. We can 
imagine runners speeding from tribe to tribe calling them 
to arms to resist the great Muskogean invasion. Doubtless 
the bloodiest wars of the history of the Hitchitee tribes 
were now fought in an effort to save their hunting 
grounds. It appears that in the end peace was made and 
the invader was given portions of the hunting grounds 
and the Oconees became a part of the great Creek Confed¬ 
eracy at the same time retaining intact their ancient do¬ 
mains. 


THE UCHEES 

It would seem that the Uchee tribe of Indians once 
lived on the Oconee River not far from Toomsboro, pos¬ 
sibly Ball’s Ferry vicinity, their hunting grounds probably 
extending up and down the river. There is a Uchee Creek 
not far from the Indian dance ground described by Mrs. 
Fordham: there was also an old Indian trail called the 
Uchee trail which led up and down the river when this 
territory was surveyed in 1804. The old plot and grant of 
land lot No. 311 to Jonathan Snider is in the writer’s 
possession showing this trail. The old road from Tooms¬ 
boro to Messer’s Bridge probably follows this route. In 
addition to this there was an old trail leading from the 
vicinity of White Bluff or Lord’s Lake across Commis¬ 
sioner Creek near Claymont crossing the Irwinton and 
Macon road near the old home of J. J. McArthur, thence 
across Big Sandy and on through Twiggs County passing 
near Jeffersonville and thence to West Lake or Buzzard 
Roost, known as the Upper Uchee Trail. 

In the description of the route followed by the Hart¬ 
ford road in the act creating this road, this trail is men¬ 
tioned as being the Uchee trail. In addition to this, there 
was what was formerly called the Lower Uchee trail lead¬ 
ing from the Ogeechee (Uchee) river to the Oconee river 


24 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


at Carr’s Bluff above Dublin, and a continuation of this 
trail crossed the Tauloohatchee (Palmetto or Turkey, as 
it is now called) Creek, thence by the present town of Coch¬ 
ran and on to the crossing where Hawkinsville now 
stands. (This trail, however, was explained to the author 
several years ago by a Mr. Grantham, then near ninety 
years old living near Cochran. He told the story as told 
him by his parents when a child. The trail was named for 
an Indian chief, Uchee Billy. He made a treaty with the 
white men and granted a lot of the hunting grounds. His 
tribesmen were incensed and made known their anger to 
their chieftain, who promised faithfully never to cede 
away any more land. Later, he violated this promise, and 
not only sold their hunting grounds but traced out a road 
from the white man’s country on this way and into the In¬ 
dian country beyond the Ocmulgee. His tribe was so fu¬ 
rious that they hanged him. 

In Swanton’s History of the Creek Indians, Uchee Tus- 
tenaggi or Uchee Billy is mentioned as being the chief of 
the Uchee Indians from about 1785 and on up to at least 
1823. In the treaty of Fort Wilkinson his name appears. 

Another trail led from Carr’s Bluff in a more westerly 
direction by Allentown, Danville, by Mt. Zion Church 
and on to Buzzard Roost or West Lake. At one time it 
was known as Jameson’s Trail. 

Although the Uchees had a language and customs dis¬ 
tinct from the Creeks, yet they w^ere often uniting with 
them in their wars, and were considered members of the 
Creek Confederacy as their chief-signed the treaty of Fort 
Wilkinson. Flow^ever, their reputation among the other 
tribes was none too good. It seems that some tribes ac¬ 
cused the Uchees of being cannibals but Swanton says 
there was really no foundation for this charge. However, 
the other Indians feared them and the Creeks ever wel¬ 
comed them as allies. 

Wherever they lived, the Uchees were bound to stir up 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


25 


trouble. Before the English settled in the Carolinas they 
were the bane of the Spaniards in Florida. Once in 1639 
they tried to ally themselves with the Spaniards but they 
ended up by inducing another tribe to attack the Span¬ 
iards. For a while they were neighbors to the English in 
the Carolinas but they became so troublesome that a war 
broke out and the Lichees about 1681 were forced to move 
to some point between the Oconee and Ocmulgee. Swan- 
ton thinks they settled near Indian Springs but it is pos¬ 
sible that they moved to this section, and while here 
adopted these trails and caused the trails and the creek to 
be named for them. The Uchees were great hunters and 
fishermen and the trail up and down the river led to some 
of the finest fishing and hunting grounds to be found in 
the county today. 


Chapter IV 


OLD TRAILS 

T HE trail leading from Oconee Town to the Carolina 
Settlements was, perhaps, for many years the main 
artery uniting the Creek Indians of this section with the 
English, and over which practically all articles for trade 
were carried. 

The English forces passed along this route in 1703 
when Col. Moore at the head of fifty volunteers from the 
Carolina settlements marched through here where he was 
joined by one thousand Creek Indians in an expedition 
against the Spaniards on the west coast of Florida. Dur¬ 
ing this expedition Col. Moore writes of leaving the Oc- 
mulgee river and later destroying old Fort St. Lewis near 
the Gulf of Mexico. The route taken by these forces as 
shown by an old map of 1715 giving the location of the 
Indian tribes was the trail leading from Charles Town 
(Charleston) by way of the Indian town near where Au¬ 
gusta now stands, thence to Oconee Town, thence south 
by southwest across the county and on to old Fort St. 
Lewis. It is probable that this trail followed the same path 
as the Carolina-St. Augustine path until it reached Steph- 
ensville and there diverged to the right passing through 
the lower part of the county and on through where Allen¬ 
town now stands. 

Frequently high water made it impossible for streams 
of this county to be crossed and at Stephensville there was 
a bridge maintained by the Indians. The author is in¬ 
debted to Mr. James E. Lord of near Toomsboro for 
this information. He was eighty years old and remem¬ 
bered his teacher, Mr. Littleton Jenkins, telling him dur¬ 
ing the Forties that the reason the bridge was known as 
“Lightwood Knot” bridge was on account of the fact that 

(26) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 27 

this was on the old Indian trail leading from Augusta to 
St. Augustine and the Indians built a bridge there by pil¬ 
ing large heaps of lightwood knots and using them as 
piers and laying logs from one to another. 

The old Mitchell map of 1755 shows a trail leading 
from Augusta by way of Oconee town, thence westward, 
crossing the Ocmulgee where Macon now stands thence 
on to the Mississippi River. The map states this trail was 
followed by Col. Welch in 1698, and since then followed 
by traders. This map also indicates that the English had 
factories and traders in all the Indian towns except the 
Alabama; and that they had established them as early as 
1687. 

There is frequent mention in Indian Affairs, Vol. 1, of 
the Cussetah Path leading from Fort Fidius or Rock Land¬ 
ing across this section to Buzzard Roost. This trail must 
have passed near Gordon. 

The old English, Purcell map of 1770 shows a trail 
leading from the east probably from Savannah crossing 
the Oconee River below Oconee Town, at White Bluff, 
thence crossing both Commissioner and Big Sandy creeks 
and crossing the Ocmulgee about Macon. 

With the settlement of Savannah the trail leading by 
way of Ball’s Ferry, thence to Macon by way of Irwinton 
probably became an important one as it was the most di¬ 
rect route between Savannah and the tribes on the Chatta¬ 
hoochee River to the northwest of Macon, although for 
the tribes further south the route known as the Chicken or 
Chickasaw Trail by way of Dublin and Hawkinsville 
might have been more often traveled. The other trails 
through the county were probably traveled a great deal 
both by the traders and the Indian hunters who still 
owned these hunting grounds, the Uchees even using the 
Ogeechee River as hunting grounds up to 1740. It is also 
probable that a few families of Indians continued to live 
here even after the main body of the tribe had moved 
away. In 1775 Bartram, the English naturalist, visited 


28 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


this section and among the trails mentioned is that leading 
from the old Ocmulgee town at Macon to Old Oconee 
Town. Benjamin Hawkins in his letters gives a vivid de¬ 
scription of this route in his journal dated 1797. 

RIVER CROSSINGS AND FERRIES 

The ancient crossings of the Oconee give us an inkling 
as to the location of the Indian Trails. There was a cross¬ 
ing at or near Rock Landing and later a ferry was estab¬ 
lished near this known as McKensie’s Ferry, now as Tuck¬ 
er’s, still another, known as Tom’s Ford three miles above 
the Rock Landing: another at White Bluff: another near 
the home of P. M. Jackson: another farther down the river 
known as Rutherford’s Ferry (this ferry is mentioned in 
an old Milledgeville newspaper). Ball’s Ferry was evident¬ 
ly owned by John Ball, Senator of Wilkinson county, as his 
administrator, Anson Ball, In 1816 operated it, and paid a 
rent to the estate for it. Still another, Fordham’s Crossing 
below the mouth of Big Sandy: another at Carr’s Bluff 
near the present Blackshear’s Ferry: another at the pres¬ 
ent site of Dublin called Jenck’s Ferry. 

THE OLD FEDERAL TRAIL 

Mr. J. F. Billue, Sr., described what was called in his 
childhood “The Old Federal Trail,” which led from the 
direction of Toomsboro crossing Big Sandy about the 
home of E. J. Helton’s, thence across Cedar Creek and 
on by way of Allentown. He merely recalled its name and 
having seen traces of this old trail, but did not know 
how long since it had been used or its origin. It would 
seem that in order to have that name it must have been 
established by the Federal garrison at Milledgeville or 
officials prior to the treaty at Fort Wilkinson as an artery 
of travel to the Indian country to the south, and to the 
Spanish posts at Tallahassee, St. Mark’s and Pensacola. 
This trail was used later as the mail route and stage road 
leading from Milledgeville to Tallahassee, Fla. 


Chapter V 


REVOLUTIONARY AND POST REVOLU¬ 
TIONARY PERIOD 

^THOUGH this section lay on the direct route lead 



xTL ing from the Indian Towns to the Georgia Settle¬ 
ments and across which the Indians were obliged to travel 
during the Revolution, yet there is but little written his¬ 
tory covering this section during this period. McGillivray 
had left the counting house of Samuel Elbert and had 
gone back to his mother’s people and was claiming his 
right as chieftain of the whole Creek nation. Having re¬ 
ceived a commission from the British government as Col¬ 
onel it had become his duty to keep the Creek Indian 
warriors on the warpath against the Georgia settlements. 
How well he succeeded is told in the history of Georgia’s 
bloody days during the Revolution. The paths across this 
section were filled with the raiding bands of hostile Creeks 
en route to or returning from the frontiers laden with 
booty and scalps of the Georgians. 

During the latter days of the Revolution when the ban¬ 
ners of the patriots were in the ascendancy and the once 
victorious Tories were being compelled to flee from their 
homes and take refuge wherever they might, it was in this 
section they sought a rallying place. We thus find them 
here in 1782 uniting into a strong band their own forces 
with those of the Creeks and preparing to attack Georgia. 
The alarm, however, was carried to the frontiers by. Jesse 
Spears who had been living with the Indians. He stated 
that on a certain day these foes would rendezvous on the 
west side of the Oconee and from there make a stroke on 
the Georgia settlements. In addition to his regiment of 
faithful Wilkes county veterans, Elijah Clarke placed 
himself at the head of one hundred South Carolinians 


(29) 


30 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


who had been sent to reinforce him and with these made 
forced marches to the scene of the rendezvous. Appar¬ 
ently the enemy having both the Ogeechee and the Oconee 
rivers between them and the Georgians was feeling secure 
at this distance from the frontier and was not keeping 
proper sentries, as Clarke was able to cross and march a 
few miles on the west side of the Oconee and to make a 
surprise attack, defeat and scatter the Tories and Indians 
without any loss on his part. (Am. State Papers, Ind. 
Affairs Vol. i, page 317. McCall’s History.) 

The end of the Revolution in favor of the American 
arms brought much trouble to the Creek nation which had 
risked so much in anticipation of a British victory. The 
Cussetahs and certain other tribes, however, had re¬ 
mained neutral during the war and immediately upon its 
close extended the olive branch by gathering an immense 
quantity of property stolen from the Georgians during the 
Revolution and bringing it to the Oconee river, at the 
same time sending messengers to the seat of government 
at Savannah that they were ready to deliver up this prop¬ 
erty. 

The memories of the bloody massacres during the Rev¬ 
olution was not to be so easily wiped out and the cession 
of the lands east of the Oconee was demanded at the trea¬ 
ties of Augusta, Galphinton and Shoulderbone. During 
the same period Georgia was confiscating the properties 
of the Tories which were still to be found in the state. 
Lachlan McGillivray, the father of Alexander, had fled 
the state and his enormous holdings were promptly seized. 
Seeing the rush of settlers to the east banks of the Oconee 
and at the same time the wealth of his father which he 
hoped some day to inherit swept into the hands of the 
Georgians, McGillivray’s rage knew no bounds. The In¬ 
dian in his blood seems to have now dominated him and 
he gave himself up to that hate for Georgia of which the 
Indian nature is capable. He seems to have been willing 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


31 


to sacrifice all in order to wreak his vengeance on Georgia. 

His English allies were no longer in reach but there was 
Spain in both East and West Florida and in Louisiana, an¬ 
cient enemy of Georgia, and with whom a quarrel was al¬ 
ready brewing over the boundary question. To Pensacola 
he went in 1784 and entered into a treaty with the Spanish 
governor, granting to that power the trade of the Creek 
nation and forming an alliance through which Spain 
agreed to come to the aid of the Creeks in case of war; to 
supply the Creeks with arms and ammunition and to give 
McGillivray a commission as Colonel in the Spanish army. 

Recognizing the vast possibilities of an alliance with 
such a strong nation on the frontiers of the weak Ameri¬ 
can Government, Spain lost no time in carrying out her 
agreement as to the arms and ammunition. Her arsenals 
at Pensacola, St. Augustine and New Orleans were 
opened to the Creeks and in a short time McGillivray was 
enabled to turn his warriors against the Georgia settle¬ 
ments on the Oconee. His repeated demands as his price 
for peace were that the Georgians retire from the Oconee 
lands to the lines formerly occupied by the British. 

And Georgia was in no condition to withstand an In¬ 
dian war. Left to her own devices by an almost impotent 
national government, from which she could expect no aid 
at all; bankrupt from the untold ravages of the Revolu¬ 
tion and unable to purchase arms and munitions for de¬ 
fense; her credit gone and her citizens impoverished; ade¬ 
quate protection could not be provided. As best they could 
the frontiersmen had to bear the brunt of the Indian 
hordes, forming bands for mutual protection, building 
rude forts in which refuge could be taken when the Indian 
alarms were given. So helpless were these forts, that mas¬ 
sacres would occur almost in their very shadows. 

The war constantly growing worse, the federal authori¬ 
ties sent James White as Commissioner to make a treaty 
with the Indians in April, 1787. Meeting with McGilii- 


32 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


vray and many of the chiefs of the Indians at Cussetah he 
attempted to make peace. McGillivray was in complete 
control at this meeting and after a courteous introduction 
put forward as the main speaker for the Creeks none 
other than the very chiefs who had executed the treaties 
of Augusta, Galphinton, and Shoulderbone, who had been 
so ostracised by the Indians since that time they were now 
in a mood to repudiate these treaties. This they proceeded 
to do in the most emphatic terms, threatening immediate 
war unless the Georgians should retire from the Oconee 
to the old line. McGillivray now came forward and pro¬ 
posed that if a new state should be formed south of the 
Altamaha he would be the first to take the oath of alle¬ 
giance. He then announced to White that he would give 
him until the first of August for an answer. 

No answer arriving, the war now broke out in re¬ 
doubled fury. It seemed as if the whole Creek nation was 
united and ready to do the bidding of McGillivray. 
As never before the settlers on the east bank of the 
Oconee felt the full weight of his vengeance. His hordes 
poured across the river burning, pillaging, massacring 
and scalping. Swooping down upon the fort guarding the 
town of Greensboro, they burned it as well as the town. 
Although the Seminole Indians who were now living main¬ 
ly in Florida but who still owned the bulk of the vast ter¬ 
ritory which was later to become Wilkinson county, yet 
we find their warwhoops mingling with those of the other 
Creeks and doing much mischief. (Ind. Affairs Vol. I, 
Page 30.) 

In addition to this tribe it seems that the bloody Uchee 
tribe which was usually closely allied with the Seminoles 
was doing its part in this immediate section. On through 
1788 the war was raging. White’s Statistics of Georgia, 
pages 677, 678, tells of the bloody scenes occurring in the 
neighborhood of Kemp’s fort in Washington county. 

In addition to the Indian foes there was another 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


33 


enemy to be dreaded more than these, the lawless Tory 
element which at the end of the Revolution had been 
forced to flee from Georgia and had now taken up their 
abode among the Indian towns. They, too, had a grudge 
to repay as did McGillivray, for many of these had prop¬ 
erty confiscated by the State of Georgia. The sparsely set¬ 
tled country along the Oconee where they could steal 
horses and other property and then flee into the Indian 
country was an opportunity not to be overlooked. 

And of all enemies none was so hated as were these 
Tories by the Georgians. The bloody massacres of the In¬ 
dians and the horror of their deeds during the Revolution 
could be excused as being acts incited by the Tories. But 
nothing could atone for the deeds of these who instead of 
aiding in establishing the liberties of Georgia had done 
their utmost to lay it in waste, and caused the patriots of 
Georgia to suffer as no other state suffered. McGillivray 
thus found in these who had been outlawed by Georgia, 
strong, able and willing allies. The Indian towns furnished 
them not only a haven of refuge from the infuriated Geor¬ 
gians, but also a market for their stolen goods. To these 
Tories is due much of troublous times which for years 
afterwards afflicted both Georgia and the Creek nation. 
For many of them rising into leadership among the red 
warriors were constantly inciting them to mischief. 

JOHN GALPHIN'S FAMOUS RIDE 

It was about this time that John Galphin, the half-breed 
son of George Galphin, the famous trader among the In¬ 
dians and patriot extraordinary, comes into prominence. 
John and his brother, George, had settled in Washington 
county, John near Kemp’s fort. On one occasion rumors 
of an impending attack having reached the ears of Cap¬ 
tain Kemp, commanding this fort, the families which fled 
to the fort for protection sent John as a spy through this 
section to gain information and prevent a massacre. En 


34 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


route to the Indian country, on the Lower Uchee Trial 
probably, he met a band of the hostiles who passed him 
without molestation. No sooner than out of their sight he 
turned his horse about and taking another route hurried 
as fast as possible to warn the settlers of the approach 
of the enemy. Exhausting the strength of his horse, he 
dismounted and continued his journey for forty miles on 
foot arriving in time to give the alarm and the Indian 
massacre was averted. John later accused the Washington 
countians of ingratitude towards him and became a bitter 
enemy. (Ind. Af. Vol. I, p. 36.) 


Chapter VI 


McGILLIVRAY’S VICTORY AT ROCK 
LANDING 

T HE power and influence of McGillivray over the 
Creeks continued to wax stronger as he took advantage 
of the cession of lands east of the Oconee and the Tall- 
assee country and used this to fan the Creek nation into a 
frenzy against the Georgians. No man knew how to play 
upon their prejudices and hatred better than he. Through¬ 
out the domains of the mighty Creek nation his word was 
now law, and the red warriors glad of the opportunity to 
accumulate the coveted scalps, were ever ready to fall 
upon the Georgians, or the settlements on the Cumber¬ 
land. It was well for this section along the Oconee that 
McGillivray was a chieftain better skilled in diplomacy 
than in leadership in battle, and that he would send his 
lieutenants to lead the raiding bands instead of going in 
person. Elad he been a warrior as well as the great diplo¬ 
mat that he was, history might have told a different story. 

Having made the treaty with Spain which not only 
guaranteed him an abundance of military stores, arms and 
ammunitions for the Creeks, but the aid of armies and 
the naval power of this nation, McGillivray’s dreams be¬ 
gan to expand, and he was now planning a far greater In¬ 
dian Confederacy than that of the Creek nation with 
himself at the head of it, one that would embrace the 
Cherokee, the Choctaw and the Chickasaw nations as 
well. It was a dream well within the realm of possibility 
and one worthy of the mastermind of this “Talleyrand of 
Alabama.” His successes in battle along the Oconee and 
on the Cumberland, his growing power and fame had 
spread into these nations. Added to this was his partner¬ 
ship in the Panton, Leslie & Co., the English firm trading 

. (35) 


36 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


from the Floridas whose traders were scattered through¬ 
out all these four great nations, and whose great influence 
among the Indians was turned towards the consummation 
of this great dream of McGillivray. But, perhaps above 
all was the ceaseless activities of Spain. In this projected 
Confederacy this power saw a strong buffer state lying 
between her American colonies and the rapidly growing 
young Republic of the north, a buffer state which would be 
closely allied to Spain and at the same time in bitter hos¬ 
tility to the United States. No effort was spared to bring 
this about and the other nations besides the Creeks were 
given access to the Spanish arsenals. 

While the Indian massacres were at their height along 
the Oconee, McGillivray played another stroke of diplo¬ 
macy in having Spain to file protests to the American gov¬ 
ernment over the alleged mistreatment of the Creeks, by 
the Georgians. These protests led to considerable discus¬ 
sion and at one time threatened to lead to war between 
the United States and Spain. Only the weakness of the 
bankrupt federal government at the time probably pre¬ 
vented war. 

But a new movement was on foot which was destined to 
affect the trend of history in this section. The federal con¬ 
stitution was in process of being adopted, uniting the 
states more closely than the loosely joined federation 
could ever have done. And McGillivray, master diplomat 
that he was, kept his ear to the ground. Foreseeing the 
growing strength of the American Republic and know¬ 
ing the weakness of the Spanish colonies, he recognized 
the fact that sooner or later it would be to his best inter¬ 
ests to become allied with the Americans rather than risk 
all by remaining loyal to the alliance with Spain. We thus 
find him frequently intimating to the Federal government 
that he would entertain overtures for an alliance with the 
United States. 

During 1788 every possible effort was being exerted 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


37 


towards placating the fury of the Creeks. Although a 
truce was proclaimed by the Governor of Georgia in July 
of that year, yet this seems to have been of short dura¬ 
tion. So fierce was now the conflict that Governor Pinck¬ 
ney of South Carolina tendered his services as a mediator 
to bring about peace between the Creeks and Georgia. 
Likewise Congress taking cognizance of the plight the 
state of Georgia was in passed a resolution notifying the 
Creeks that if they persisted in refusing to enter into a 
treaty upon reasonable terms the arms of the United 
States should be called forth for the protection of the 
frontier. 

All these efforts, however, proved unavailing. McGilli- 
vray in a very diplomatic letter to Governor Pinckney in 
February, 1789, placed the grievances of the Indians be¬ 
fore the governor in a very convincing manner, and at the 
same time assured him that every effort was being made 
to have all the Indian tribes to keep the truce which was 
still in force. 

However, during the spring of 1789, hostilities broke 
out anew and in spite of the threats of the federal govern¬ 
ment, the Indians began preparing for a new offensive 
against the Georgia settlements. As if in answer to the 
threat of Congress, McGillivray, called a great council 
of all the chiefs of the whole Creek nation, and informed 
them that the Georgians were not going to give up the 
lands between the Oconee and the Ogeechee, and in¬ 
formed them that the Spaniards had already provided fif¬ 
teen hundred stands of arms and forty thousand pounds 
of ammunition for the use of the Creeks. The Creeks ex¬ 
ulting at the prospect of an opportunity to recover their 
lost lands were ready for an immediate onslaught upon 
the settlements. Plans were made and three thousand 
Creeks were ready to make a drive which should sweep 
away all the settlers west of the Ogeechee, and the Indian 
alarms extended to the very heart of Savannah, itself. 


38 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Parties were on the warpath, when the new federal com¬ 
missioners, Osborne and Pickens, came on the scene and 
despatched the two half-breed brothers, John and George 
Galphin, to the Indian nation with a new invitation for a 
treaty. They arrived in the nation in May, 1789, and just 
in the nick of time. The date set for the proposed treaty 
was in June, 1789, and it was suggested that a truce be in 
force until the treaty was held. The Galphin brothers suc¬ 
ceeded in inducing the nearest Indian towns to withhold 
their warriors and to send runners to intercept bands al¬ 
ready on the march to the frontier, until the answer of 
McGillivray in Alabama could be had to the new pro¬ 
posals. McGillivray refused to attend the meeting in June 
or allow it to be held thus putting an end to all prospects 
of holding it then, but suggested a date for three or four 
months later, and agreed upon a truce until then. How¬ 
ever, he adroitly suggested that the chiefs of the Creeks 
would like to know upon what grounds the Commissioners 
wanted to treat. The commissioners promptly wrote Mc¬ 
Gillivray that the treaty which should be offered to be 
signed would be upon liberal grounds, and significantly 
stated that they would like to see McGillivray privately 
before the treaty was made. The meeting date for the 
treaty was thus fixed for September 15th, 1789. . 

Both the authorities of the state of Georgia and the 
federal authorities being informed of the date set for the 
treaty began making every preparation that would tend 
towards making a complete success of it. Georgia appro¬ 
priated several thousand dollars and supplied Osborne 
and Pickens with necessities for the immense army of In¬ 
dians which was expected to attend. In the meantime 
three other commissioners were appointed to supersede 
Osborne and Pickens, in spite of the fact that General 
Pickens was considered a friend of McGillivray, and in 
whom McGillivray had the utmost confidence, these 
three new commissioners being Cyrus Griffin, a former 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


39 


president of the Continental Congress, David Humph¬ 
reys, one of Washington’s military aides, and General 
Lincoln who had commanded the southern army during 
the Revolution. It is doubtful that if ever in her history 
were so many celebrities on Wilkinson county’s soil as 
were at this treaty. 

The new commissioners were delayed in arriving at Sa¬ 
vannah until September nth, when they sent couriers to 
Osborne and Pickens notifying them of the fact that 
Washington had made the new appointments for the 
treaty, and that they would shortly arrive on the scene. 

In the meantime McGillivray and his horde of Indian 
warriors numbering not less than two thousand arrived 
at the Rock Landing on the 2nd of September. Never 
since the days of De Soto had there been such an army of 
Indians in this county. On the opposite side of the river 
was the small company of artillery under Burbeck. The 
contrast in the strength of the negotiating parties must 
have had its effect upon both the numerous Indian chief¬ 
tains as well as upon the commissioners of the United 
States. It might well have impressed upon the American 
authorities a wholesome respect for the man who could 
wield such a power over such an army of savages. Cus¬ 
tomary as it was for the Indians to operate in small bands, 
yielding obedience only to those who kept in close contact 
with them, this was indeed an epoch in the history of the 
Creek nation when so many warriors were ready to do the 
bidding of one man. 

The arrival of the intelligence that they had been super¬ 
seded as commissioners prevented any further negotia¬ 
tions by Osborne and Pickens, although they continued 
their exertions towards keeping the great motley body of 
Indians satisfied and in a good humor—apparently a hercu¬ 
lean task judging from the records. Food in enormous 
quantities had to be provided. Separation of the Indians 
from the settlers across the river must be maintained. 


40 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


On the 15 th, the new commissioners still not having 
arrived, McGillivray served notice on Osborne and Pick¬ 
ens that unless new commissioners arrived by the 18th, 
the Indians would depart. An express was sent with this 
message to the new commissioners which met them upon 
their arrival in Augusta. Astounded at the information 
they at once sent couriers with a letter to McGillivray as¬ 
suring them that they would start at once for the Rock 
Landing and would arrive there on the 20th of September. 
One can imagine the wily chieftain of the Creeks smiling 
to himself at the thought of the three dignified Ministers 
Plenipotentiary of the United States galloping headlong 
over the hundred miles of rough frontier roads separat¬ 
ing Augusta and the Rock Landing in order to reach there 
before the Indians departed. It was indeed not surprising 
that one of the commissioners failed to arrive on the 20th, 
having been “unavoidably detained” on the road. Two of 
them arrived in the afternoon of the 20th, probably slight¬ 
ly sore from their ride, but at once sent a note to McGilli¬ 
vray with their “respectful compliments.” 

McGillivray waited until next day to acknowledge this 
and then replied in the courteous manner for which he was 
so well noted. At the same time he sent three of his most 
prominent chiefs to call upon the commissioners, to wel¬ 
come them and assure them of their earnest desire for 
peace. 

From the very beginning of the negotiations there was 
always evident the masterful tactics of the great Indian 
chieftain, in putting the commissioners on the defen¬ 
sive. Instead of crossing the river and greeting the com¬ 
missioners, he sent an invitation for one or two of them 
to cross the river and call upon him for an interview, 
an invitation so tactfully worded that the Commission¬ 
ers could do nothing but accept. The next day he re¬ 
turned the visit and spent the greater part of the day with 
the commissioners on the east side of the Oconee. The 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


41 


question of his Spanish treaty being raised he frankly ad¬ 
mitted his alliance with the Spaniards and his rank of Col¬ 
onel in the Spanish army, stating that the treaty had been 
of great benefit to the Creeks as well as of pecuniary ad¬ 
vantage to himself. However he adroitly insinuated that he 
would be willing to renounce his allegiance to Spain and 
take the oath of allegiance to the United Sates if some¬ 
thing better should be offered. 

The other commissioner arrived on the 23rd and appar¬ 
ently every demand of the commissioners upon the In¬ 
dians would be granted and the greater part of the day 
was spent in drafting the proposed treaty for the Indians 
to sign. They had fallen into the trap laid for them by Mc- 
Gillivray, who had skilfully maneuvered the negotiations 
so as to create a feeling on the part of the commissioners 
that all their demands would be acceded to by the Indians. 

Twenty thousand dollars had been appropriated by 
Congress in addition to that furnished by Georgia for the 
expenses of this treaty, for presents for the Indians and 
the payment of such sums as might be necessary to induce 
the Indians to sign a reasonable agreement. 

Washington, in his instructions to the commissioners 
had also authorized them to offer as another inducement 
for the Indians to sever their allegiance with the Span¬ 
iards a free port on the Altamaha through which the 
Creeks could import and export their merchandise on the 
same terms as citizens of the United States; also to offer 
to McGillivray a military distinction superior to the 
colonelcy given him by the Spaniards. They were also in¬ 
structed not only to make peace between Georgia and the 
Creeks but to look into the treaties of Augusta, Galphin- 
ton, and Shoulderbone and see if any unfair methods had 
been practiced by the Georgians in obtaining cessions of 
the land lying between the Ogeechee and the Oconee; that 
if they found these treaties to have been fair to treat with 
the Indians for a confirmation of them, and if the Creeks 


42 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


should refuse to confirm these treaties, to inform them 
that any further molestation or injury to Georgia would 
be punished by the arms of the United States. Instructions 
were given that if the disputed lands had been acquired by 
unfair means, then the commissioners were authorized to 
purchase them from the Indians. A very significant sen¬ 
tence is found in these instructions to the commissioners 
which was sufficient to impress upon them the great re¬ 
sponsibility that was resting upon them, the necessity of 
their success in negotiating the treaty and the dire results 
which might be realized upon their failure: “On your suc¬ 
cess materially depends the internal peace of Georgia and 
probably its attachment to the general government of the 
United States.” 

The overconfidence of the commissioners seems to have 
affected their draft of the treaty and the terms which 
were provided required the confirmation of the cession of 
the lands granted at Augusta, Galphinton and Shoulder- 
bone, with but very little in return. After having it re¬ 
duced to writing the commissioners notified McGillivray 
that they were ready for the meeting with the Indians. 
Here again McGillivray put the commissioners on the de¬ 
fensive by suggesting that they come to the Indian camp 
and hold the meeting there. Again the commissioners 
crossed the Oconee at his bidding and at the meeting after 
a short talk to the Indians by the commissioners, which 
was received-with apparent approval by the Indians, but 
which was not replied to by McGillivray or any of .the In¬ 
dians thus leaving no opportunity for any further discus¬ 
sion by the commissioners, there was nothing else to do 
but leave the draft of the treaty with the Indians for their 
action. This was done and the commissioners recrossed 
the river, apparently believing their mission fully accom¬ 
plished. 

McGillivray was now absolutely master of the situa¬ 
tion. He had completely outgeneraled the Ministers Pleni- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


43 


potentiary of the United States and by strategy had 
caused them to draft a treaty for the Indians to sign such 
as would hardly be considered sufficiently reasonable by 
Washington as to cause a war to be declared, against the 
Creeks for refusing to sign it. The commissioners having 
left the meeting and returned across the river gave him 
the opportunity of treating the draft of the treaty as an 
ultimatum. The treaty was thus promptly rejected by the 
Indians. 

The next day McGillivray wrote the commissioners 
that the Indians were dissatisfied at the terms mentioned 
and tactfully suggested that a truce be maintained until he 
heard further from the United States, ending by saying 
that the Indians were resolved to depart and suggesting 
that presents be supplied the Indians. To this the com¬ 
missioners hastily replied urging him not to depart but 
bluntly refusing to give any presents unless a treaty were 
made. One of the commissioners hurriedly crossed the 
river and interviewed McGillivray getting his promise to 
come across the river and confer with the commissioners, 
but the next information was a verbal message from him 
that he would fall back four or five miles to obtain forage 
for his horses. Instead of falling back this distance he re¬ 
tired fifteen miles and later to the Ocmulgee. 

Consternation now reigned in the camp of the commis¬ 
sioners. The negotiations for a treaty which meant so 
much to Georgia and the United States, as well as to the 
reputation of the Ministers Plenipotentiary were about to 
fail utterly. They had been completely foiled by “the 
savage from the wilderness of Alabama.” As a last 
resort one of the superseded commissioners, General Pick¬ 
ens, who was still at the Rock Landing accompanied by 
Messrs. Few and Saunders of the delegation appointed 
by the governor of Georgia to attend the treaty was sent 
to overtake McGillivray and induce him to return but to 
no effect. A letter was also written McGillivray by the 


44 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


commissioners in the form of a threat in which they stated 
that if he departed without a full discussion it would be 
regarded as a refusal to establish peace. To this he re¬ 
plied in a very courteous letter stating that the chiefs had 
entreated him to depart and “We sincerely desire a peace 
but we cannot sacrifice much to obtain it.” 

This master in the art of diplomacy had now achieved 
his ends. He had skilfully demonstrated to the American 
government his great power over the Creek Indians, as 
well as to his unequaled skill as a diplomat. He had shown 
the Americans how necessary it was to have his allegiance, 
and had hinted as to what his price for that would be. 
Likewise, he was causing much apprehension among the 
Spaniards at the prospect of losing his allegiance, and 
could now play off one nation against the other in his de¬ 
mands on each. His agreement to a truce was a masterful 
stroke in that it averted all prospect of a war against the 
Creeks, not merely convincing Washington that war was 
unnecessary but unwise at this juncture, but would also 
have the effect of putting Georgia in an embarrassing 
position should she send armies against the Creeks, thus 
making them the aggressors in the eyes of the other 
states. Then, too, he was getting his revenge: well might 
he now gloat over his “cause of triumph, in bringing these 
conquerors of the old masters of the new world, as they 
call themselves, to bend and supplicate for peace at the 
feet of a people whom shortly before they despised and 
marked out for destruction.” His diplomatic victory at 
the Rock Landing was unquestionably the most important 
event in the life of this great chieftain. His star was now 
in its zenith. He was indeed and in truth the Great Chief¬ 
tain of the Creeks. 


Chapter VII 


SPANISH AND BRITISH INTRIGUES—THE 
FALL OF McGILLIVRAY 

B UT the refusal of McGillivray to sign the dotted line 
at Rock Landing was not the signal for the federal 
government to rush armies into the Creek country. Presi¬ 
dent Washington first considered the matter, and after an 
investigation as to the distance inland the armies would 
have to march and the supplies be transported, he found 
that the campaign would cost at least fifteen million dol¬ 
lars. He found it would be much cheaper to buy McGilli¬ 
vray. Colonel Marinus Willett was thus despatched to 
McGillivray on a confidential mission with an invitation 
for McGillivray to visit the President. The upshot was 
the treaty of New York in which McGillivray was given 
a commission as Brigadier General, and other emoluments 
for himself and six of his trusty chieftains, and the return 
to the Creeks of the Tallassee country, the claim to the 
Oconee lands to be relinquished by the Indians, McGilli¬ 
vray made a most excellent bargain both for the Creeks 
and for himself. 

It now appeared that peace would reign along the 
Oconee and that the settlers would not be afflicted with the 
Creek massacres and Spanish intrigues any longer, now 
that McGillivray had formed an alliance with the Ameri¬ 
can Government. However, in this they were to be rudely 
disappointed. Thoroughly alarmed at McGillivary’s di¬ 
plomacy in turning to the United States, Spain began 
to take steps towards counteracting this and ere long 
McGillivray was drawing a salary of thirty-five hundred 
dollars a year from that power. The establishment of 
the trading post at Rock Landing by the federal gov¬ 
ernment about this time was another serious blow to 


(45) 


46 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


both Spain and to Panton, Leslie & Co., for while the for¬ 
mer was losing the enormous customs to which she had 
been accustomed to collect on the goods destined for the 
Creek nation, the latter was losing the great profits inci¬ 
dent to the Indian trade, for the post at Rock Landing 
was not only selling goods cheaper but was paying the In¬ 
dians higher prices for their peltry. 

Rock Landing was now an important center. Roads 
were leading here from Augusta, Savannah by way of 
Sandersville, and from both up and down the river on the 
Georgia side. The trails leading across the Indian lands 
were now more and more traveled as the Indians would 
bring their produce to market and exchange it for supplies 
and firewater. Traders with their packhorses likewise 
were constantly passing to and fro along these well de¬ 
fined trails. All of this the Spaniards viewed with concern. 

Although the treaty of New York was perhaps the best 
possible settlement of the bloody dispute between Georgia 
and the Indians yet it was very unpopular in Georgia. 
They felt that President Washington had betrayed this 
state in setting at naught the treaties of Augusta, Galphin- 
ton and Shoulderbone and granting back to the Indians 
the Tallassee country. Criticism galore was heaped upon 
the chief executive. He was burned in effigy and other in¬ 
dignities heaped upon him, notwithstanding the fact that 
a careful examination of all the facts leading up to and 
surrounding the executing of these treaties might not re¬ 
dound altogether to the glory of the Empire State of the 
South. 

For a time it seemed that peace would now reign along 
the Oconee, but no sooner had McGillivray been pacified, 
than new discordant elements appeared on the horizon. 
The Spaniards had now redoubled their efforts to arouse 
the Indians against the Georgians. In this they were aided 
in one of the provisions of the treaty of New York which 
provided that in October, 1791, delegations of the Creeks 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


47 


should meet at the Rock Landing and in company with the 
Americans should mark out the boundary line above the 
south branch of the Oconee. Emissaries of the Spaniards 
worked in concert with the traders of Panton, Leslie & 
Co. and began to inflame the passions of the Indians 
against the Georgians and sentiment was soon strong 
among the Indians against the running of the line. Criti¬ 
cisms of the treaty and of McGillivray, himself, began to 
break out among the Creeks, and apparently he saw the 
handwriting on the wall for when the date set for the 
tracing of the line arrived, he found some excuse to ab¬ 
sent himself. 

About this time an entirely new element was added to 
the already complicated international and domestic situa¬ 
tion. Hitherto, from the close of the Revolution it ap¬ 
peared that Great Britain had abandoned all intrigue with 
their old Creek allies. It is true Panton, Leslie & Co. was 
a British firm and purchased the greater part of their 
merchandise in England but up to this time the traders 
of this firm among the Creeks seems to have devoted their 
activities towards influencing the natives in favor of the 
Spaniards. But Panton, Leslie & Co. having antagonized 
Lord Dunmore, the latter set about taking revenge. He 
soon found a most willing and competent tool in William 
A. Bowles, who as a Tory from Maryland had seen serv¬ 
ice during the Revolution among the Lower Creek tribes. 
Furnished with supplies by Dunmore he appeared among 
the Seminoles, the tribe which still claimed this section, 
claiming to be Emperor of the Creeks. Quickly allying 
many of the Tories and Seminoles to his side he rose rap¬ 
idly in influence among the whole Creek nation. Taking 
advantage of the terms of the treaty of New York he 
played upon the prejudices of the Indians and soon had 
alienated a large portion of the Creeks from their absolute 
domination by McGillivray. Promising the Indians the 
return of the British and a resumption of the rich presents 


48 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


which that nation had been accustomed to bestow upon 
the Indians he was soon a factor not to be despised. 

Although he hated Georgia as much as did McGillivray 
and in arousing the Indians against this state he was play¬ 
ing into the hands of Spain, yet he also hated Spain with a 
still greater hatred, if possible, and lost no opportunity to 
injure that power. Added to this was his deadly hatred 
for Panton, Leslie & Co., whose ships he loved to capture, 
and whose rich stores he loved to loot with his bands of 
red warriors. Absolutely fearless and a born leader, 
Bowles was leader after the Indians’ own hearts. He pos¬ 
sessed that which the great McGillivray lacked in order 
to endear himself completely to the wild savages, leader¬ 
ship in battle. The advent of this new bold adventurer 
was thus threatening to overturn the existing order of 
things and appeared to be giving Great Britain the as¬ 
cendancy in the great diplomatic battle which was being 
waged between England, Spain, and America for the 
Creek influence. The outcome of this diplomatic warfare 
meant much to the peace of the Georgia frontiers. 

Not only was Spain thoroughly alarmed at the situation 
and began taking steps towards counteracting Bowles’ in¬ 
fluence, but McGillivray, himself, shared in the general 
alarm, and he was not long in invoking the strong arm of 
both Spain and the United States towards removing this 
troublesome factor from the midst of the Indians. 

The treaty of New York having provided that the line 
between Georgia and the Indians should be marked out in 
October, 1791, pressure began to be exerted on McGilli¬ 
vray and the chiefs to perform this duty. 

A new misunderstanding now arose concerning where 
the line should strike the Oconee. The treaty provided 
that the south branch of the Oconee and the Indians con¬ 
tended that the north branch of the Oconee should be the 
line, according to their understanding. They insisted 
that the treaty had never been presented to the nation by 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


49 


McGillivray for their ratification. Here was another op¬ 
portunity for Bowles and he was not long in availing him¬ 
self of it. Criticism and feeling against McGillivray was 
rife throughout the Creek nation and his power began to 
wane while the influence and power of Bowles was daily 
growing stronger among the Creeks and was extending 
into the Cherokee nation as well. Still another event which 
encouraged the Indians to resist the running of the line 
was the total defeat of St. Clair’s army by the northern 
Indians which caused the Creeks to hold the American 
troops in less awe. 

In the spring of 1792 the American government con¬ 
tinued its pressure upon McGillivray and in order to aid 
him in overcoming the growing power of Bowles and hav¬ 
ing sent two additional companies of soldiers to Rock 
Landing together with considerable sums of money and 
merchandise suitable for the Indians at the same time 
wrote McGillivray that these federal forces were avail¬ 
able for his needs towards ridding the nation of Bowles, 
and that the merchandise and money was for his use in ac¬ 
complishing the same purpose. (Indian Aff. Vol. 1, pages 
246,249,254.) 

About this time another event took place which for the 
time being effected the purpose of removing Bowles but 
not his influence. His repeated raids upon the Spaniards in 
Florida had so incensed this power against him that by 
strategem they succeeded in making him a prisoner, and 
he was soon sent to Havana. But the spirit of opposition 
to the running o,f the line was kept alive by his numerous 
followers and the influence of McGillivray was at an end. 
The treaty of New York had proved his Waterloo. 

While McGillivray was betraying the Americans on 
the one hand, and perfidiously playing with the Spaniards 
on the other, his tribesmen aware of his treachery towards 
these two nations were losing confidence in him, and the 
Mad Dog began to assume in a small way the greatly 


50 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


needed leadership of the Upper Creeks. None knew the 
treachery McGillivray was capable of better than the 
Mad Dog. He was one of the few Indians who knew of 
the secret treaty McGillivray entered into at New York 
with President Washington. 

None knew the weakness of McGillivray for entering 
into treaties which would fill his personal pockets as did 
the Mad Dog. We thus find him when in 1792 McGilli¬ 
vray was making his plans to meet with the Americans at 
Rock Landing for the purpose of running the boundary 
gathering together a few strong chieftains and firmly re¬ 
fusing to permit McGillivray to leave the nation. 

At this time rumors were rife throughout the Creeks 
that Bowles, who was still claiming to be emperor of the 
Creeks would soon be in the nation, that England and the 
U. S. would again be in war with each other. 

While not an adherent of Bowles the Mad Dog real¬ 
ized what it would mean for the nation to be worse divided 
on the question of the line. Already Bowles was taking ad¬ 
vantage of the fact that the Creek nation was split asun¬ 
der on account of the treaty of New York and was using 
these dissensions to unite the discordant elements against 
McGillivray. 

This act of the Mad Dog at the head of the other chief¬ 
tains might well be termed a peaceful revolution. The 
reign of the erstwhile Indian monarch had ceased, in spite 
of the fact that the United States continued to recognize 
him as chief and was asking the Indians to support him 
(Indian Aff. p. 301). 

McGillivray, now, no longer able to wield his authority 
over his people was forced to see the powerful Creek na¬ 
tion slip back into a bedlam of confusion, to split into fac¬ 
tions led by petty chieftains; himself to lose utterly the con¬ 
fidence of the American authorities as well as that of the 
Spanish. Small wonder that this once powerful monarch to 
whose nation the hills and vales of Wilkinson belonged 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


51 


should slip away and spend the few remaining months of 
his life in seclusion at Pensacola, dying in February, 1793. 

The death of McGillivray left the Creek nation in a 
terrible condition—great famine was stalking the land, 
and the American government ignoring the intermittent 
warfare which this nation had been waging for years 
against the Georgia and Tennessee frontiers was supply¬ 
ing them with corn. Bowles had returned from his cap¬ 
tivity in Madrid and renewed his claim as emperor of the 
whole Creek nation, and now that his erstwhile rival was 
no more it appeared that his aspirations would meet with 
success. To aid him in his designs the British had sent 
Shawnee emissaries throughout the Creek nation promis¬ 
ing them the aid of the British in a war against the Ameri¬ 
cans. For months Capt. Oliver had been disseminating 
Spanish propaganda among the nation and the Pensacola 
arsenal was supplying the Creek as well as the Cherokee 
nation with arms and munitions to such a degree that they 
were better armed than the Georgia militia. 

Added to this, a spirit of jealousy had been created be¬ 
tween the Georgia militia and the federal troops on her 
border, and a feeling of contempt on the part of the peo¬ 
ple of Georgia for the federal officials located in the state, 
so much so that at times serious clashes were narrowly 
averted and even Seagrove’s life was threatened. 


Chapter VIII 


INDIAN WAR CLOUDS GATHERING 

I N the meantime, Seagrove had been appointed superin¬ 
tendent of Indian affairs for the Creeks and estab¬ 
lished his headquarters at Rock Landing from which place 
he carried on an extensive correspondence with the Creek 
chieftains. 

The continued efforts of Seagrove towards getting the 
Indians to meet him at Rock Landing bore some fruit and 
in May, 1792, a body of two hundred Creeks met him 
there. Nothing of benefit was accomplished at this meet¬ 
ing. Instead of this remedying the situation it had the ef¬ 
fect of aggravating it, as the large number of hunting 
parties of Indians gathered near the frontiers began to be 
troublesome to the settlers. Thieving bands would cross 
the Oconee and steal horses and cattle. The losers be¬ 
gan to complain to Seagrove and were on the verge of at¬ 
tacking the Indians. Seagrove set off along the Indian trail 
leading through this county down the Oconee during the 
month of June. From one Indian camp to another he went 
collecting the stolen property and restoring all he could 
to the owners. Though the plundering bands were al¬ 
most daily occurrences for the time being the whites of 
Washington county were doing all in their power to 
avert a general Indian war which was appearing more 
and more imminent. 

In July of 1792 two hundred Creeks without any invi¬ 
tation from the federal authorities returned to the Rock 
Landing for a conference, for the purpose of calling a 
meeting of the Creeks to be held at St. Mary’s. Again the 
presence of the Indians on this frontier resulted in trouble 
between the Georgians and the Indians. Col. Samuel Alex¬ 
ander, the famous Indian fighter of Greene county, came 

(52) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


53 


to the Rock Landing and while there had a difficulty with 
Charles Weatherford, the brother-in-law of McGillivray. 
Numerous other difficulties arose before the Indians re¬ 
turned to the nation. 

It was during this month that Captain Benjamin Harri¬ 
son had six horses stolen from him by the Uchees at Carr’s 
Bluff in Washington county. As the year 1792 wore on, 
the discord among the Indians continued to grow in vio¬ 
lence. Spain was now more strongly than ever trying to 
carry into effect her plans of allying the four great Indian 
nations, the Creeks, the Cherokees, the Chickasaws and 
the Choctaws into a confederacy. Arms, ammunition and 
supplies were now poured into these nations and every 
possible effort made to cultivate their friendship. During 
1792 a failure of the corn crop brought the Creek nation 
almost to the verge of starvation and President Washing¬ 
ton supplied them with ten thousand bushels of corn. But 
even this could not keep their warriors from attacking the 
frontiers of Georgia. 

The clouds of war continued to gather as the year 1792 
wore on. The state of Georgia was bending every possible 
effort towards preparingfor the inevitable conflict, a strug¬ 
gle which threatened to involve not only Spain but also 
England. South Carolina thoroughly alarmed at the im¬ 
pending struggle, recognizing that her own frontiers were 
in danger of feeling the weight of the Red invasion hur¬ 
riedly put her thousands of militia on a war basis, and pre¬ 
pared to rush them at a moment’s warning to the aid of 
her sister state. At the same time her governor was writ¬ 
ing a most urgent letter to President Washington in¬ 
forming him of the dire peril with which Georgia was 
being confronted. (Ind. Affairs, Vol. 1,316.) 

Not only did the frontiersmen depend on their forts for 
protection but so great became the destruction from the 
Indians that it became necessary for patrols and spies to 
he sent across the river into this county for the purpose of 


54 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


keeping acquainted with the whereabouts of the attacking 
parties of the red men. The old Indian trail leading down 
the Oconee River now came in handy for the border pa¬ 
trols, as any skulking band of warriors were compelled to 
cross this path in order to get to the settlements and their 
horses would have to leave a trail which the patrol would 
be sure to discover. Ever on the alert for signs of the 
enemy, these patrols would daily ride up and down this 
old trail. Others would penetrate still farther on the trails 
that led to the Indian towns. Woe to the hapless Indian 
that fell into the hands of these patrols. So great was the 
desire for revenge on the part of the Georgians that they 
were not particular from what town the Indian- came, 
whether friendly or otherwise. One of these rangers was 
the son of Major David Adams of Hancock County. 
The major on one occasion stated to a federal officer that 
these rangers would “kill any they saw, let their tribe or 
business be what it would.” (American State Papers, In¬ 
dian Affairs Vol. i, p. 414.) 

The critical conditions of this section was soon realized 
by President Washington and the federal government be¬ 
gan pouring arms and ammunition into the arsenals of the 
state. Washington requested Governor Telfair of Georgia 
not to permit offensive expeditions against the Creeks, on 
account of the delicate state of our relations with 
foreign nations. During the spring of 1793 conditions 
were rapidly growing worse. Many frontiersmen were 
leaving their homes. Others built forts on their own lands 
and armed not only their families but their slaves. (Ind. 
Aff. Vol. 1, page 420.) The unbearable situation was 
such that the Georgia militiamen could no longer be re¬ 
strained from punitive expeditions. An Indian raid into 
Washington county near Carr’s Bluff on the 18th of April, 
1793, resulted in the death and scalping of William Pugh, 
the capture of a negro and four horses by the Indians. In 
May so great became the carnage and havoc in every di- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


55 


rection on the frontier that the governor found it neces¬ 
sary to call out bodies of the Georgia militia and assemble 
them on Shoulderbone Creek in Hancock county, at the 
same time urging the Secretary of War to rush forward 
thousands of stands of more arms and supplies. General 
Irwin hurriedly erected forts at Carr’s Bluff, Long Bluff, 
White Bluff and other places. 

Rumors about this time came to the ears of the im¬ 
periled frontiersmen that John Galphin, now a chief of 
the warlike Coweta tribe, had started on the warpath with 
five hundred braves, that he would unite his forces with 
the Seminoles under King Paine and would sweep the 
white settlements from the Oconee to the Ogeechee. His 
deadly hatred for the people of Washington county whom 
he had once saved but whom he had charged with mis¬ 
treating him was well known, and this county must now 
feel the weight of his vengeance. The warlike character 
of the Seminoles was also well known and the great dread 
seized upon the Georgians. 

A FLOOD AS AN ALLY 

At this juncture when it seemed no power on earth 
could prevent the bloody tragedy which was approaching, 
a new ally came to the aid of the fear-stricken frontiers¬ 
men, in the form of Nature. Terrific rains began to fall 
and continued with such force that the Oconee became a 
raging torrent forming a wall of defense which the red 
warriors could not pass. For weeks the floods continued 
and the rage of the Indians seems to have slightly abated. 
(Ind. Afif. Vol. i, pp. 368, 369.) 

CHICKASAW WAR 

Still another ally came to the aid of the hard pressed 
Georgians. Piomingo, the great Chickasaw warrior, was 
engaged in a quarrel with Efau Haujo, the Mad Dog of 
the Tuckabatchees, who was apparently the leading figure 
in the Creek nation. The Americans grasping this oppor- 


56 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


tunitv to distract the attention of the Creeks from the 
Georgians and the Cumberland settlements encouraged 
Piomingo; Seagrove encouraged Efau Haujo with prom¬ 
ises of aid. The Mad Dog’s brother was slain by the 
Chickasaws and the war between two Indian nations burst 
with a fury seldom equalled in the annals of Indian’s 
warfare. 

The English and Spanish had overlooked the fact that 
at least some of the Americans could play the diplomatic 
game as well as the master diplomats of Europe. Sudden¬ 
ly their house of cards through American machinations 
tumbled. Instead of the powerful alliance of the four 
great Indian nations the Creeks, Cherokees, Chickasaws, 
and Choctaws and a combined attack with the fifteen or 
twenty thousand warriors they could bring into the field, 
there came the news of the outbreak of war between the 
Creeks and Chickasaws. Quickly the Choctaws aligned 
themselves on the part of the Chickasaws. It was thought 
the Cherokees would ally themselves with the Creeks. 
And thus almost overnight it appeared there were the 
four great southern Indian nations arrayed against each 
other. However, the Cherokees partly by Spanish inter¬ 
ference, partly by sad memory of a previous disastrous 
war with the embattled Chickasaws did not rush to the 
aid of the Creeks. Likewise Spanish influence seems to 
have affected the hostility of the Choctaws. In addition to 
this the Cussetah tribe of the Creeks claimed ancient 
friendship with the Chickasaws and could not enter a war 
against them. 


KING PAYNE MAKES PEACE 

In the meantime the federal agent, Seagrove, was not 
idle. Aware of the traditional hatred of the Seminoles for 
the Spaniards which had existed from the days when as 
Oconee their town had been burned by the Spaniards on 
the Oconee River, he began overtures of peace with 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


57 


Payne. A treaty with this chieftain meant much to this 
section, for he grudgingly yielded allegiance to the Creek 
nation except when it pleased him. Though he and his 
tribe lived in Florida yet the Creeks acknowledged that 
the Seminoles owned the lands below the Rock Landing. 
Thus this tribe as an ally would be not only worth much 
to the Georgians along the Oconee but their domicile be¬ 
ing in Florida and Payne having a penchant for fighting 
Spaniards, they would be a thorn in the side of Spain. 
Though Payne made peace, yet the war along the Oconee 
was continued by the other Indians. 


Chapter IX 


EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS 

S O great was the alarm during the spring and early sum¬ 
mer of 1793 that the governor of Georgia determined 
upon sending an expedition against the Indians. Thus on 
June 8th, Major General Twiggs, with Brigadier-Gen¬ 
erals Irwin, Clark, and Blackburn, led a force of 750 men 
comprising 450 mounted and 300 foot across the Oconee 
at Rock Landing and took up the line of march for the 
Indian country. Col. Gaither gave them information as to 
which were the hostile towns. The route taken, however, 
led to the Buzzard Roost and had they succeeded in reach¬ 
ing the Indian country it is extremely probable that peace¬ 
ful towns would have been attacked thus aggravating the 
almost unbearable situation. The expedition marched 
across the distance separating the Oconee and Ocmulgee 
and after crossing the latter river built a fort. General Ir¬ 
win was ordered by General Twiggs to,command detach¬ 
ments of cavalry and march to the Uchee village on the 
Flint River and seize the head men of the town. 

Before this order could be executed, it seems that dis¬ 
sension arose among the officers and men. Too many gen¬ 
erals appear to have been one trouble, lack of discipline 
and a refusal to yield themselves to authority another. 
The result was that a mutinous spirit took possession of a 
majority of the officers and men and they returned home 
forcing the others to do likewise without striking a blow. 
Major Gaither criticised this expedition in the strongest 
of terms, reporting to the War Department that Twiggs’ 
command had been in open rebellion against the general 
government ever since November, 1792, violating the In¬ 
dian treaty, firing their rifles at the sign of the President, 
etc. (Ind. Af. Vol. 1, p. 422.) 


(58) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


59 


The effect the utter failure of this expedition would 
have upon the Indians was much dreaded for the time be¬ 
ing, as it was thought it would inspire contempt for the 
Georgia forces and would be the incentive of fresh at¬ 
tacks upon the Georgia frontier. To counteract this, a let¬ 
ter was sent by the federal authorities to the Indians stat¬ 
ing the President had commanded the soldiers of Georgia 
to return. The Indians now began to be alarmed, the 
Georgia militia having come so near them. All the more so 
as a new report began to be circulated throughout the In¬ 
dian nation that Elijah Clarke was raising an army of 
2,500 men to march against them. Having had bitter ex¬ 
perience with this general, they felt they had an enemy to 
dread. 


BENJAMIN HARRISON 

In the meantime the Washington countians along the 
Oconee, opposite this section did not take kindly to these 
Indian forays, but one expedition after another was sent 
into this country to overtake the Indian raiders. 

Chiefest of these was Benjamin Harrison of Washing¬ 
ton county who believed in the doctrine of “an eye for an 
eye.” Living opposite Carrs Bluff, his own and his neigh¬ 
bors’ plantations often bore the brunt of Uchee raids. 
Time after time his horses were stolen, his cows killed, his 
neighbors scalped. 

Harrison had no compunctions against giving direct to 
the Indian town and taking redress. We thus find that in 
1792 having lost six horses he called together his com¬ 
mand and set out to the Indian nation across this section. 
Arriving at their towns on the Flint, he was promised by 
the Uchee king and the Cussetah king they would help 
him get his horses. At another time having had a horse 
stolen and a cow killed by the Uchees, he gave chase with 
his command, overtaking them, and had a skirmish with 
them taking three of their guns. The Uchees in a rage re- 


60 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


turned to the nation and began raising a force to return 
and take vengeance upon Captain Harrison. However, 
through the influence of Timothy Barnard who had mar¬ 
ried a Uchee squaw they were induced to delay their hostile 
expedition. Barnard wrote to Harrison explaining the 
situation and asked him to give the Indians back their guns, 
which he did. (Indian Aff. 309.) 

Captain Stokes in comnfand at Long Bluff lost two 
horses in September, 1793. He immediately pursued them 
with his command, overtaking them as they were crossing 
the Ocmulgee. Stokes’ men opened fire which was returned 
by the Indians. Stokes rushed down upon the Indians kill¬ 
ing one outright and mortally wounding two others. Not 
only were the two stolen horses recovered but another 
horse and four guns were taken. (I. A. 372.) 

THE CHEHAW INDIANS DEFEAT MAJOR BRENTON's 
EXPEDITION 

In October, 1793, to take revenge for stolen horses, a 
body of 200 mounted militia from Washington county, 
under Captains Harrison, Stokes, Kitchin, Irwin, Carson, 
Wilbern, and Hampton, all under the command of Major 
Brenton, set out from Carr’s Bluff for the Indian nation in 
defiance of the authority of General Irwin who ordered 
them to return. Their destination was the Chehaw village, 
on the Flint river where they expected to find many runa¬ 
way negroes and other stolen property. Arriving opposite 
the Chehaw town they started to ford the river when the 
Indians discovering them opened a fierce attack upon 
them. Although the Indians were only sixteen in number 
with four negroes aiding them, all the rest of the warriors 
being in Florida hunting, the advantage was with the de¬ 
fenders. In the face of a galling fire the whites had to 
cross the river; the number of the Indians, was unknown 
and the dreaded Indian ambush should they succeed in 
crossing was another danger. Two whites were killed and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


61 


two others wounded before they gave up the attempt to 
capture the town. Three of the Indians were wounded. 
(I. A. pp. 415, 468, 469.) 

In the meantime changes had been taking place in the 
federal garrison stationed at Rock Landing. Following 
the attempted treaty there with McGillivray in 1789, Cap¬ 
tain Savage with fifty-five men were placed there for the 
protection of Georgia against the whole Creek nation and 
Spanish forces in the Floridas. In October, 1791, two ad¬ 
ditional companies were sent there, all then under the 
command of Major Call. In August, 1792, Major, later 
Col. Gaither, was sent to relieve Major Call who had been 
ordered to join the main army. 

In the spring of 1793 Fort Fidius was built a short dis¬ 
tance from Rock Landing and in April of that year the 
stores and guard from the Rock Landing were moved to 
Fort Fidius. (Ind. Aff. p. 257.) A few months later Sea- 
grove moved his headquarters to the new fort. 

Another change took place as to the crossing of the 
river. Formerly it seemed that the main crossing was at 
the Rock Landing but about this time a new crossing 
known as Tom’s Ford located three miles above Fort 
Fidius was becoming more and more used. The name of 
this seems to have been given it by reason of the fact that a 
Cussetah Indian named Tom was serving as courier for 
Seagrove, bearing messages to and from the Creek nation, 
and used this fording place. 


Chapter X 


THE ADAMS INSURRECTION 

W HILE we regard the years of 1861-1865 as the pe¬ 
riod during which Georgia had seceded from the 
Union, yet, during the years from 1790 to 1794, the state 
of Georgia was in almost open defiance of federal author¬ 
ity: Federal garrisons were being regarded as much inimi¬ 
cal to the interests of the Georgians as the Indians them¬ 
selves and the first time in history that the militia of any 
state might be termed to have ever arrayed themselves 
against the American flag after the adoption of the Con¬ 
stitution was when the Georgia militia of Hancock county 
under the leadership of Major David Adams in May, 
1794, defied the Federal authorities and threatened to 
storm Fort Fidius for the purpose of seizing and executing 
thirty Indians who had taken refuge in the fort seeking 
protection from the infuriated frontiersmen of Hancock, 
and the demonstration was staged on the soil of Wilkinson 
county. 

At this time Hancock county embraced the territory 
along the east banks of the Oconee adjacent to the present 
city of Milledgeville and extending down the river near 
Fort Fidius whose federal garrison was commanded by 
Captain Richard Brooks Roberts. 

All along the Oconee there existed in the hearts of the 
settlers a bitter, undying hatred for the savages who for 
years had waged unceasing warfare upon the scattered 
settlements lying near the river. Massacres of defenseless 
women and children, burnings of homes and the carrying 
away of their property had been felt by so many that 
every Indian was regarded as an enemy. The Federal gov¬ 
ernment, though setting at nought the treaties which 
Georgia had entered into with the Indians, and in doing 
so inspired in the red men a contempt for the Georgia offi- 

(62) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


63 


cials, yet with its handful of troops in a few garrisons was 
able to offer no protection against the marauding bands. 
Hence, Georgia was forced to organize the border counties 
into military units which could quickly assemble at some 
appointed place whenever the Indian alarms were given. 
Time after time these mounted commands were called on 
to rush to the aid of their beleaguered neighbors, some¬ 
times to pursue the red warriors over the Oconee, and oc¬ 
casionally into the very heart of the Creek nation before 
punishment could be inflicted upon them. Hancock had 
suffered her full share of Indian horrors and her trained 
militia had the well-earned reputation of being rough and 
ready fighters. Hancock could not have selected a braver 
or more determined man than David Adams to command 
these defenders of the frontiers. Born in South Carolina 
only nine years before the Revolution began yet before it 
ended he was serving in a campaign under General Hen¬ 
derson against the British and Tories. Here in Hancock 
we find him when the apparent incompetency of some of the 
federal officials in Georgia and their utter disregard to the 
protection of the Georgia frontiers were inspiring in the 
minds of a large class of people a contempt for federal 
authority. 

Though the federal Agent, Seagrove, had entered into 
a treaty of peace with the Creeks in November, 1793, an d 
Indian depredations along the Oconee had almost ceased 
since that time, yet the people of Georgia put no faith in 
the promises of the Indians. The years of the double-deal¬ 
ing of the great Indian chieftain, McGillivray had de¬ 
stroyed all faith in this race. 

In the face of the innumerable dangers which might 
reasonably result through the presence of a large body of 
Indians on the frontier, Seagrove very unwisely invited 
the Indians to come in full force and spend their time in 
hunting between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers while 
he, with Efau Haujo and other chieftains journeyed to 


64 HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 

Augusta “to brighten the chain of friendship with the 
Georgia governor.” Great crowds of them came, pitching 
their main camp on the west side of the Oconee opposite 
Fort Fidius, and near the present boundary of Wilkinson 
and Baldwin counties. 

The Indians arrived about April 25th, and trouble was 
not long in brewing. A hand of Indians on May 2nd 
crossed the Oconee and stole some horses near Sparks 
Station in Franklin county. The alarm was given and pur¬ 
suit of the outlaw band was started. Their trail led to¬ 
wards the High Shoals of the Apalachy passing near the 
fort which had been built by the Georgians and was 
manned by Georgia militia under Lieutenant Hay. Here, 
the pursuers were re-inforced by Lieutenant Hay and his 
dragoons and the pursuit resumed. For fifteen miles into 
the Indian country the Indians lured the Georgia militia, 
then doubling back on their trail and selecting the proper 
spot they laid the ambush which Hay with his dragoons 
and the other militia rode headlong into. It was the old 
scheme of the Indians luring the pursuing forces suffi¬ 
ciently far so that reinforcements could not arrive, and 
then posting their warriors in the shape of a half moon 
so that their foemen would be almost surrounded when 
the deadly warwhoop should be the signal for the volleys 
from the rifles of the hidden warriors. In this the Indians 
were successful. Lieutenant Hay and two of his soldiers 
were killed outright and another wounded. Thrown into 
confusion by the suddenness of- the attack and the loss of 
their leader, the Georgians were soon forced to retreat. 
However, during the action the Indians’ horses becoming 
frightened at the noise of the conflict, stampeded and 
seven of them, including one of the stolen horses, were cap¬ 
tured by the Georgians and brought off the field and back 
to the settlements. 

No sooner had they arrived than rumors began to fly 
thick and fast of a general Indian uprising. Runners were 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


65 


sent quickly along the exposed territory bearing the dread¬ 
ed news. Dispatches from the Indian towns reported three 
tribes on the warpath. The militia began to assemble. 
Couriers were also dispatched to Augusta acquainting 
Governor Matthews of the attack. The danger in which 
the Indian chieftains who were then at Augusta found 
themselves was so great that the governor at once started 
them towards their homes under a strong guard com¬ 
manded by no less a person than General Glascock. And 
the route to the Indian nation led by way of Fort Fidius, 
through Hancock county. 

In the meantime the militia was beginning to cross the 
Oconee for the purpose of attacking the Indians when¬ 
ever found. On May 8, a detachment discovering the Dog 
King of the Cussetahs on Little River in Putnam county 
hunting with his brother, opened fire, wounding the king 
but both Indians escaped into the swamp. 

None of the militia were more infuriated than that of 
Hancock county. Major Adams collected 150 men and at 
their head crossed the Oconee with the avowed intention 
of killing every Indian that fell into his hands. 

Though the greater portion of the Indians encamped 
opposite Fort Fidius was in the woods hunting, having 
left their horses, saddles and other equipment in the main 
camp, news of the happenings soon reached them. Timo¬ 
thy Barnard arriving on the scene in advance of the forces 
of General Glascock guarding the Indian chieftains, and 
learning of what had occurred and knowing the mood the 
Georgia militia was in, on May 9th ordered all the Indians 
to return to their homes at once. Many set out imme¬ 
diately but a considerable number remained. About ten 
o’clock on May 10th, Major Adams and his Hancock 
avengers arriving opposite Fort Fidius swooped down 
upon the Indian encampment without a moment’s warn¬ 
ing, firing as they charged. Though surprised at the sud¬ 
den onslaught of the infuriated Georgians the Indians 


66 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


having no time in which to prepare a defense against 
the overwhelming numbers, yet they did not retire from 
their camp until they had offered a short, sharp resistance, 
mortally wounding one of Adams’ command, and then 
quietly slipping into the swamp carrying with them one of 
their own number slightly wounded, their only casualty. 
Ten of the fleeing Indians crossed the Oconee and took 
refuge in Fort Fidius expecting to be protected by the 
federal garrison. Major Adams’ forces proceeded to seize 
the Indian horses, saddles and other property as spoils of 
war. 

In the meantime the noise of the firing had aroused the 
federal garrison at Fort Fidius and Captain Roberts evi¬ 
dently recognizing that it was unquestionably the Georgia 
militia wreaking vengeance for the death of Lieutenant 
Hay and his two dragoons, sent one of the officers in the 
fort, Dr. Frederick Dalcho, across the river to investigate. 
Dr. Dalcho’s written report as taken from American State 
Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, page 484, gives us a very 
vivid picture of what occurred. It is as follows: 

“In consequence of an order from Richard Brooke 
Roberts, captain commander, to ascertain the cause of the 
firing that was heard over the river, I crossed this morn¬ 
ing for the purpose. 

“On rising out of the canebrake, I saw two different 
parties of militia: the one on the edge of the canebrake, 
employed in plundering the Indian camp; the other at 
some considerable distance, on the hill. I inquired for the 
commanding officer, whom I found to be Major Adams. 
I demanded, in the name of the United States, the cause 
of their attacking the Indians, who were on a friendly 
visit, with Major Seagrove, at this post, and while they 
were under the protection of the United States? He told 
me, that, in consequence of the death of Lieutenant Hay, 
on the Apalachy, he had raised one hundred fifty men, to 
pursue and destroy anyparty of Indians he might gain in- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


67 


telligence of; that an Indian who was wounded at that 
time was now in our garrison, under the care of the sur¬ 
geon, from which supposed he was one of the party who 
are now here, and that he was determined not to return 
until the whole of them were killed; that he would ad¬ 
vance to the mouth of the cannon, and take them from the 
fort; for he was able to do it. I assured Major Adams that 
the wounded Indian had not been at our garrison since the 
accident happened. I demanded Mr. Barnard’s horses. 
This brought on the most hitter exclamations from a num¬ 
ber of them, particularly Major Adams, who swore he 
would rather kill Barnard than an Indian; for he had 
given a pass to the Indians who killed Lieutenant Hay, 
certifying that they were friendly disposed towards this 
country; that this pass was found sticking up on a sapling, 
over the dead body. He told me that Mr. Barnard’s 
horses should not be taken; when a number of his men 
exclaimed, that it was the lives of the Indians they wanted, 
and not their property; notwithstanding which, I discov¬ 
ered several of them with Indian horses, rifles, skins, etc. 
Mr. Barnard’s negro boy, who was with me, was threat¬ 
ened by a number of men. I was further informed, that the 
Big King, and the rest of the chiefs who are now on their 
return from Augusta, where they have been on a visit to 
the Governor, should be killed; that they should make no 
distinction of tribes. I told them it was in vain to talk so, 
for the Governor had given assurances to Major Sea- 
grove that they should be escorted by a strong guard, un¬ 
der the command of Brigadier General Glascock. Some of 
them immediately replied, that they could raise more men 
than General Glascock, and would take them. I heard sev¬ 
eral of them mention, that a party, under Colonel Lamar, 
were on their way down, on this side of the river. One of 
the militia received a ball through his belly, which I be¬ 
lieve will prove mortal; the loss of the Indians is not yet 
known; one only was seen to fall, who crept into the cane- 


68 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


brake. Just before I left them Major Adams swore he 
would have hair before tomorrow night; and that Briga¬ 
dier General Clarke had marched against the Creek towns. 

“Given under my hand, at Fort Fidius, this ioth day of 
May, 1794.” 

The situation of the garrison at Fort Fidius was now 
most desperate. No one in the fort doubted for a moment 
that Major Adams would make good his threat and either 
storm the fort or by siege force a surrender in order to get 
the Indians therein. 

The fort was in no condition to be defended against the 
odds that could easily be brought against it should the 
pent up anger of the Georgians be directed against it. The 
thirty Indians who had taken refuge in it, instead of being 
a help in the impending assault, would only the more en¬ 
rage the Georgians should they be used to prevent the cap¬ 
ture of the fort. The sixty-nine soldiers in the fort could 
not long hope to hold at bay Major Adams’ superior num¬ 
bers who were momentarily expecting the arrival of the 
reinforcements of Col. Lamar’s contingents from Han¬ 
cock county. Thus in the heart of a hostile country sur¬ 
rounded on all sides by the families and friends of those 
who were on the verge of storming the fort who could 
possibly bring thousands more to reinforce Adams; added 
to this the fact that the fort was located three hundred 
yards from a supply of drinking water which made it es¬ 
pecially vulnerable in case of a siege, well might Captain 
Roberts worry over his predicament. 

To add still more to the worries of the harassed com¬ 
mandant there was the almost assured probability that 
Efau Haujo and the other Creek chieftains would be at¬ 
tacked and slain, so great was the anger of the people. 
Rumors also arrived that bodies of militia had already 
started to invade the Creek country. These acts must un¬ 
questionably bring ten thousand Creek warriors into the 
field in a general Indian war. In such event even though 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


69 


he should be able to defend the fort successfully against 
the assaults or siege of Major Adams, yet being on the 
frontier this must necessarily be one of the first places to 
be attacked by the Indian hordes. 

Couriers were at once despatched to the War Depart¬ 
ment acquainting the Secretary of War of the desperate 
situation Fort Fidius was in and assuring the War Depart¬ 
ment that the fort would be defended to the last. Weeks 
must elapse though before these messages could reach the 
capital and Captain Roberts could expect no succor from 
that source. At the same time messages were sent toward 
Augusta to intercept General Glascock who was now en- 
route with the Creek chieftains, advising him of what 
might be expected should he continue his course by way of 
Fort Fidius. However, there was no assurance that any 
of these despatches would ever reach their destination as 
messages sent the following day were intercepted by 
armed men. (Ind. Aff. Vol. i, p. 486.) 

Captain Roberts now determined to spirit the Indians 
out of the fort and across the river before Major Adams 
could post guards all along the river banks. Although 
some of the Indians wanted to remain and help protect 
their chiefs they were induced to depart. These had not 
been long gone before Long Tom, a prominent Cussetah 
courier, and very friendly to the whites, arrived at the fort 
with two other Indians, having in some manner crossed 
the river without being discovered by Adams’ men. These, 
too, were hustled across the river to safety a short time 
before the guards were posted. Not knowing of the escape 
of all the Indians Major Adams posted a cordon of men 
along the Oconee that night to intercept every Indian that 
might attempt to cross. 

In the meantime the couriers had reached General Glas¬ 
cock with the news from Fort Fidius. Instead of pursuing 
his line of march by that point he altered it and during the 
night he was successful in getting his Indian chieftain 


70 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


charges safely across the Oconee at White Bluff, fifteen 
miles below Fort Fidius, where taking another path across 
what is now Wilkinson county they continued their way 
to their homes without mishap. The departure of all the 
Indians from the frontiers seems to have allayed the 
wrath of the Georgia militia and no further demonstra¬ 
tions were made against the fort. 

While the escape of all the Indians in the fort as well 
as the safe arrival of the Indian chieftains into their own 
country on the night of the ioth of May greatly lessened 
the danger the garrison at Fort Fidius was facing yet the 
morning of the i ith found the communications of the fort 
with Savannah now cut and armed men standing guard. 
The courier bearing despatches to the Secretary of War 
acquainting him of the escape of the Indians, seeing the 
hostile party returned to the fort, and thus saved his 
despatches. 

To the surprise of not only the federal authorities but 
to the Georgians as well, the events which had just trans¬ 
pired did not bring on an Indian war against the frontiers 
of Georgia. The reasons for this are obvious, however. 
Prior to this the Indians considered the federal authority 
supreme and had no respect for the authority of Georgia. 
But now they had experienced the temper of the Georgia 
frontiersmen, and had seen them in such a rage that the 
soldiers, the cannon and the forts of Longknife (Con¬ 
gress) furnished no refuge. The erstwhile respect and 
awe for the Georgians which Elijah Clarke and other 
Georgians had inspired years before now returned. Efau 
Flaujo and other able chiefs had talked with Governor 
Matthews and the precautions taken by the Governor to 
have them safely escorted to their lands seems to have 
made a favorable impression on them. The years follow¬ 
ing found fewer Indian troubles along the Oconee than 
had been since the white settlements had first been made. 

As for Major Adams and his Hancock militia, they re- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


71 


turned to their homes and nothing further was said about 
their having violated the federal laws. For years he re¬ 
mained one of the most prominent and respected men of 
that county, serving in the legislature. Later when the 
Indian lands west of the Oconee were opened for settle¬ 
ment he removed into what is now Jasper county where he 
continued to serve the state. The legislature in recognition 
of his ability elected him Brigadier General and later 
Major General. He commanded an expedition against the 
Indians in the War of 1812 and distinguished himself in 
the battles fought in Alabama. Still later he served as one 
of the commissioners for Georgia in acquiring the Indian 
lands lying between the Ocmulgee and the Flint rivers. 

(American State Papers, Indian Aff. Vol. 1, pp. 482 et 
seq., Cyclopedia of Georgia.) 


Chapter XI 


CLARKE’S EXPEDITION AGAINST FLORIDA 

I T would seem that the territory which was later to be¬ 
come Wilkinson County has never had a more interest¬ 
ing period than during these years. Not only was it the 
bone of contention in the British, Spanish, and Indian in¬ 
trigues and the scene of warfare between the Georgia 
frontiersmen and the Creek Indians, but in April and the 
early part of May, 1794, it was on this soil that the ad¬ 
herents of Elijah Clarke from Georgia and South Caro¬ 
lina collected for the memorable expedition against the 
Spaniards. And along the old Indian trail down the west 
side of the Oconee marched this redoubtable veteran of 
the Revolution at the head of his band of Sans Culottes , 
Georgians and South Carolinians, but now flying the 
French flag, en route to the St. Mary’s from which place 
after being reinforced by the French fleets they planned 
to lay siege to St. Augustine and seize all Florida for the 
French. 

These years found pandemonium not only evident 
along the Oconee but ruling the whole civilized world. 
Europe stood aghast at the victorious progress of the ap¬ 
parently invincible armies of the new French Republic, 
and in fear was uniting against France. Likewise the newly 
constituted American Republic with Washington at the 
head was sharing in the general chaos, as on all sides were 
rampant insurrections, threats of secession, revolts against 
Federal authority, foreign intrigues, treachery of public 
servants, sectional jealousies, disastrous Indian wars, and 
the constant threat of wars with foreign nations which 
looked with contempt upon the new government. 

Chiefest among these was Spain whose East and West 
Florida and Louisiana colonies were a constant irritant to 
the southern and western settlers, forbidding the settlers 

(72) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


73 


west of the Alleghanies the right to transport their prod¬ 
ucts down the Mississippi to market, a right, which in the 
day before the advent of the railroad destroyed all prog¬ 
ress for these western American settlements. For years 
clashes between the western settlers and the Spanish set¬ 
tlements had been frequent recurrences and more than 
once there had been threats of an invasion and the seizure 
of the Spanish colonies. Added to this the bulk of the In¬ 
dian trade had been diverted through Spanish ports. 

But Georgia considered herself more aggrieved than 
any other section. Her boundaries as fixed by the treaty 
of Paris following the close of the Revolution conflicted 
with the claims of Spain, and Spanish troops were sta¬ 
tioned at Natchez and Fort Panmure in Georgia’s Mis¬ 
sissippi territory, and no amount of peaceable persuasion 
could induce them to remove. Added to this, Spanish 
agents were constantly among the Cherokees, the Creeks, 
and other tribes stirring the Indians to hostility against 
the Georgians, and for years had kept the Georgia fron¬ 
tiers in a continuous state of war, with massacres fre¬ 
quently occurring, and there was ever the constant threat 
of the uniting of all the tribesmen with the Spaniards in a 
general war of extermination of the whole state, not an 
idle threat, for it was well known that the arsenals at Pen¬ 
sacola, St. Augustine, New Orleans and elsewhere were 
supplying the Indians with all the arms and ammunition 
they needed. Three companies of cavalry had been or¬ 
ganized and equipped among the Cherokee Indians for 
service whenever the expected war between Spain and 
America should break out, and it was revealed to the 
American authorities that as a whole the Indian tribesmen 
were better armed and equipped than the Georgia militia, 
who thoroughly alarmed at the impending dangers were 
hurriedly being prepared for the defense of the state. Pro¬ 
tests to the Spanish authorities over their acts were 
treated with contempt. War with the Indians appearing 


74 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


inevitable, the American government through* its repre¬ 
sentatives at Madrid made an inquiry as to whether, in 
case of a war between the United States and the Indians, 
Spain would take sides with the Indians. The equivocal 
reply convinced the people of Georgia and the United 
States of the designs of Spain. Sentiment in all Georgia 
was that further forbearance was no longer a virtue and 
was ready to welcome a war against both Spain and the 
Indians. So strong was the feeling in Georgia against the 
Spaniards that open threats were being made that if the 
United States did not remove the Spaniards from her 
soil, she would do so herself. 

At just this moment when the tension in Georgia was 
tightest the newly appointed French Minister, Genet, 
landed at Charleston where he was accorded perhaps the 
greatest ovation ever received by a foreign diplomat in 
America. Especially were the South Carolinians voci¬ 
ferous in their applause, for not only were many of the in¬ 
habitants descended from the French Huguenots enthusi¬ 
astic over the success of the French Republicans, but there 
was also evident the spirit of gratitude towards the 
French people for the aid given in the struggle for inde¬ 
pendence. Genet thus found sentiment ripe for his plans 
of raising land and sea forces with which to attack the 
enemies of France. It was even said that Governor Moul¬ 
trie was in sympathy with his schemes, until reminded by 
the South Carolina Legislature that such a course would 
conflict with the program of neutrality entered into by 
the American government. In spite of the half-hearted 
efforts put forth to prevent infractions against neutrality, 
the preparations for the expedition against the Spaniards 
were continued by the people of that state. Threefold was 
the urge that kept this up: first, the traditional hatred of 
the Spaniards for their grandfathers had fought in Ogle¬ 
thorpe’s wars with this enemy; second, the gratitude to 
the French, and thirdly, the desire for plunder. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


75 


It soon became apparent that large forces could easily 
be raised in South Carolina and Georgia for the subjuga¬ 
tion of East Florida, and the next problem was the selec¬ 
tion of the leader of the expedition. Due to its geographi¬ 
cal situation, Georgia appeared the proper place from, 
which to select the leader, for it was necessary for the 
South Carolina forces to march through Georgia to the 
place of rendezvous on the St. Mary’s, and supplies would 
have to be purchased in Georgia. The movement thus de¬ 
manded as its head a man popular with the Carolinians as 
well as with the Georgians, a man powerful enough to 
overcome any opposition that might be raised in Georgia. 
No man filled all the qualifications needed as did Elijah 
Clarke. No man in Georgia was more popular with the 
rank and file, or who could rally a stronger following. His 
unparalleled bravery as displayed on many a bloody battle¬ 
field in South Carolina during the Revolution had en¬ 
deared him to the people of that state. The almost super¬ 
stitious fear with which the Indians regarded him would 
guarantee passage across the Indian country without op¬ 
position and could be counted on towards rallying them to 
his side. Added to this was the fact that Clarke knew well 
the country through which the expedition would have to 
march en route to the rendezvous, for during the Revolu¬ 
tion he had marched at the head of his regiment of Wilkes 
county cavalry through this very section in the expedition 
against the British who then controlled Florida, and 
fought as none other fought in the disastrous battle that 
broke the spirit of the enterprise, falling desperately 
wounded in the charge. No fitter man could have been se¬ 
lected by Genet to lead the sans culottes. 

Clarke was thus commissioned Major General at a sal¬ 
ary of ten thousand dollars per annum and steps were 
taken towards organizing the adventurers who favored 
the enterprise in both South Carolina and Georgia into 
military units with officers at their head. It was decided 


76 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


to make St. Augustine the first objective where the land 
forces would be supported in the siege by a French fleet. 
Throughout the year 1793 the trusted agents of Genet 
were busy in South Carolina and Georgia making every 
preparation for the expedition. A report was circulated in 
Georgia that Clarke was raising an army of 2,500 men 
with which to march against the Indians which spread fear 
among the red tribesmen but the real intent was probably 
known in Georgia and no effort was being made to dis¬ 
courage the movement. 

In the meantime, after having laid his plans in South 
Carolina, Genet proceeded to the seat of the National 
Government and was everywhere greeted with acclama¬ 
tions of welcome. Sentiment throughout the nation was 
running strong for an immediate alliance with France 
against her enemies, and but for Washington’s determina¬ 
tion not to risk a war at a time when this infant republic 
was in such a weak condition the United States would 
probably have become a party to the wars then raging. 
While the United States made declarations of neutrality, 
yet there was the unmistakable sympathy for France evi¬ 
dent on many sides. Openly it appeared that the adminis¬ 
tration was trying to maintain a strict neutrality, but one 
cannot read the American State Papers carefully without 
getting the idea that Washington and his cabinet had their 
fingers crossed all the time, and though cognizant of the 
proposed expeditions, far from crushing, were secretly en¬ 
couraging them. We find Thomas Jefferson, while Secre¬ 
tary of State, giving Michaux, one of the agents of Genet, 
a letter of Introduction to the Governor of Kentucky who 
was apparently in sympathy with the expeditions against 
the Spanish Colonies on the Mississippi. We further find 
him reminding Genet that a little explosion on the Miss¬ 
issippi would be welcomed by the Americans as tending to 
convince Spain that it would be wise to make a treaty with 
the United States. Likewise, we find Genet’s enterprises 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 77 

largely financed by payments by the American Govern¬ 
ment, on the French debt before the installments fell due. 
We are thus led to suspect that Washington was not ig¬ 
norant of the expedition against East Florida. 

During the year 1793 the recruiting was being con¬ 
tinued. In South Carolina William Tate, Jacob R. Brown, 
William Urby, Robert Tate, Richard Speke, Stephen 
Drayton, and John Hamilton were commissioned by Genet 
and actively engaged in enlisting men, and organizing 
them into battalions with officers to be commissioned ac¬ 
cording to the number of men any individual could enlist. 
It was planned to raise five thousand men. The pay of the 
privates w T as to be 25 cents per day, rations, clothing and a 
share in the plunder, and a share in the lands conquered. 
A portion of the plunder according to the plans were 
to belong to France. Many were almost ready to depart 
for the place of rendezvous. 

A new factor had, however, now entered. The ovations 
accorded Genet and the successes of his enterprises seem¬ 
ingly had gone to his head. His extreme demands upon 
the American government were rapidly alienating the 
friends of France. Thomas Jefferson, than whom France 
never had a stauncher American friend, became indignant 
at the insolence of Genet. Likewise, there was growing a 
revulsion of sentiment in South Carolina, as the conserva¬ 
tive elements began to realize the seriousness of the situ¬ 
ation. 

Thus in the early part of December, 1793, the South 
Carolina legislature made an investigation of the rumors. 
Resolutions were passed condemning the enterprise, a 
copy of which was sent President Washington. Governor 
Moultrie issued a proclamation forbidding the enrollment 
in the undertaking by any of the inhabitants of that state. 
Upon learning that the South Carolina authorities had ar¬ 
rested a number of persons charging them with accepting 
commissions from him, Genet wrote the Secretary of 


78 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


State of the charge and denied that he had authorized the 
recruiting as charged but admitted commissioning some to 
go among the Indian tribes and attack the Spaniards and 
English. Although notified of the situation in South Caro¬ 
lina, yet it is a striking fact that President Washington 
took no action at all until the 15th of January, 1794, when 
he laid the information before Congress. 

In the meantime the disquieting news had reached Ques- 
ada, the Governor of East Florida, that his dominions 
would be invaded by large forces from Georgia and Flori¬ 
da in conjunction with the French, news enormously exag¬ 
gerated by the time it reached St. Augustine. His infor¬ 
mation was that Col. Samuel Hammond of Savannah had 
been commissioned Brigadier General by the French and 
was to command the expedition, that there were already 
sixteen hundred cavalry on the border in Camden county, 
well provided with magazines of ammunition and provis¬ 
ions, that Abner Hammond should command the cavalry 
which was soon to be augmented by large reinforcements 
from other parts of Georgia and South Carolina and that 
three French frigates with 1,100 men on board were to sail 
from Beaufort, South Carolina, and that the attack should 
be made on East Florida about the middle of February. 
Abner Hammond having crossed the St. Mary’s River 
and falling into the hands of the Spaniards was brought 
before Quesada. Upon being questioned, instead of giving 
accurate information he increased the panic of fear of the 
Spanish governor by assuring him of the absolute truth of 
the wild rumors that had reached St. Augustine as to the 
size of the invading forces. 

(Note : Abner Hammond was then sent to Havana and 
imprisoned in Moro Castle for years. Later he was re¬ 
leased after which he made Milledgeville his home.) 
(White’s Statistics.) 

Although having on January 7th written Governor 
Matthews that there were rumors of an expedition 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


79 


against East Florida, which seemingly had but little effect 
on the Georgia governor, upon receiving the latest alarm¬ 
ing news, Quesada again hastily wrote him, acquainting 
him of what he had learned and urging him in the name 
of neutrality to take steps to stop the enterprise and as¬ 
suring Matthews of the friendship of the Spaniards for 
the Georgians. It is noteworthy that the spirit of this let¬ 
ter was entirely different to that in former letters written 
by him when protests were made concerning his intrigues 
with the Creeks which had caused Georgia so much 
trouble. Matthews appeared not to lose any sleep over 
Quesada’s predicament. Finally on the 5th of March 
Governor Matthews issued a proclamation similiar to 
that of Governor Moultrie of South Carolina. 

The Georgians seemed to have paid about as much at¬ 
tention to the proclamation as might have been expected 
under the circumstances. Although large forces of militia 
were quickly available along the Oconee River, being al¬ 
ready organized for defense against Indian invasion, yet 
not a hand was lifted to prevent General Clarke and his 
men from marching across the river and encamping op¬ 
posite Greensboro, the Rock Landing and at Carr’s Bluff, 
preparatory to marching to the St. Mary’s. 

Among the Georgians involved in the expedition were 
Col. Carr and Major M. Williamson, Jr., both of Wash¬ 
ington county. Also Captain Bird, who had formerly com¬ 
manded the federal forces at Fort Matthews, was com¬ 
manding the detachment opposite Greensboro. Captain 
McKinsey commanded the detachment encamped oppo¬ 
site the Rock Landing. 

Neither did the federal troops in Georgia take any 
steps towards discouraging the movement of troops, but 
on the contrary we find Col. Carr and Major Williamson 
fraternizing with Captain Martin, who commanded Fort 
Fidius and spending a day and night with him at that fort 
on the 8th of April, where they freely discussed their 


80 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


plans with the captain, showing him a list of the men to 
whom Major Williamson who was serving as Clarke’s 
paymaster, had paid their mileage to the point of rendez¬ 
vous. Ten days later Constant Freeman, agent for the De¬ 
partment of War in Georgia at Fort Fidius rather be¬ 
latedly wrote the Secretary of War of what had trans¬ 
pired. 

In the meantime the French were co-operating. The 
sloop of war, Las Casas, with two hundred men arrived 
at the St. Mary’s River and it was reported that thirteen 
other war vessels, equally w r ell armed and manned were 
soon to arrive. A few days later the Las Casas seized a 
base on Amelia Island, south of the St. Mary’s, a!nd land¬ 
ed guns and erected defense. General Clarke had now ar¬ 
rived and was in charge of his forces on the Georgia side 
of the St. Mary’s which were growing larger each day. 

On May 14th, though, it was reasonable to suppose 
that by this time Clarke’s army was already across the 
Florida border en route to St. Augustine, Henry Knox, 
Secretary of War, made a gesture towards stopping the 
expedition by writing Governor Matthews, urging him to 
take such measures as should prevent it, and authorizing 
him to use the federal forces in Georgia, at the same time 
writing Lieut.-Col. Gaither commanding the federal forces 
in Georgia, that if the Governor should call upon him to 
assist him, to do so. 

In the meanwhile, the “little explosion” had occurred on 
the Mississippi, and the expedition of George Rogers 
Clark had been nipped in the bud at the proper moment. 
It was now time for the Georgia bubble to burst. The nec¬ 
essary steps had already been taken for the denouement. 
Genet had been recalled by the French government and a 
new ambassador appointed who was opposed to the expe¬ 
dition, and withdrew the sanction of the French govern¬ 
ment as well as the financial aid. This seems to have had 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


81 


the desired effect. Clarke’s men returned to their former 
encampments on the west side of the Oconee River. 

The United States was still neutral, no overt act having 
been committed. The Governors of the Spanish colonies 
were thoroughly frightened and ceased their meddling 
with the Indians. The American government now fol¬ 
lowed the plan which Thomas Jefferson might well be sus¬ 
pected of setting on foot, and new overtures were made 
to the Spanish court for a treaty by which the demands of 
the United States might be granted. Spain, convinced that 
the United States could not much longer restrain the an¬ 
ger of the people of Georgia as well as that of the settlers 
of the western states bordering on the branches of the 
Mississippi, and being faced with the possible loss of all 
the Florida and Louisiana territories, within a few months 
graciously granted all the demands, agreeing to remove 
their troops from the soil claimed by Georgia, as well as 
open the Mississippi to navigation to the western settlers. 
What years of peaceable negotiations had failed to ac¬ 
complish, the “little explosions” did. 

As might be supposed, Elijah Clarke did not lose in 
popularity by embarking on the enterprise which was 
destined to have such happy results for Georgia. Neither 
did the American government take any steps towards 
punishing him for the alleged high crimes and misde¬ 
meanors. Taking all the circumstances in the case, we 
cannot look upon Elijah Clarke as a mere soldier of for¬ 
tune in this adventure, but rather the leader of an unoffi¬ 
cial American expedition, marching under the French 
flag. But having failed in their Florida objective his men 
were now in the mood to establish a new republic of their 
own. 


Chapter XII 


ELIJAH CLARKE’S REPUBLIC 

I N the summer of 1794, Elijah Clarke, returning with 
his Sans Calottes to their former encampments in 
what is now Wilkinson county encamped upon the lands 
here, and having pacified the Indians, by renting these 
lands, as was stated, had established their homes, built and 
garrisoned forts all along the Oconee and at various 
places between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers. One of 
these, Fort Advance, was located just across the river 
from Fort Fidius. Another, Fort Defiance, was in all 
probability located near the present site of Milledgeville, 
as its location is given as being six miles above Fort 
Advance. There was also another fort near the line of 
Laurens and Wilkinson counties, not far from Turkey 
Creek, as some old fortifications and the skeleton of an 
old flint lock pistol has recently been found, and it is 
supposed to have been one of Clarke’s forts. On the level 
fields lying between Itchee-wam-Othchee or Black Creek, 
and Thlock-Laoso, or Fishing Creek, about the present site 
of the George Hollingshed farm on the Milledgeville and 
Toomsboro Road, near the line of Wilkinson and Bald¬ 
win counties, the metropolis of Clarke’s Republic was laid 
off. Here Clarke established his headquarters. While E. 
Bradley was President of the Committee of Safety, 
Clarke was the acknowledged head of both the army and 
the government. 

The news of Clarke’s intended republic on the soil 
which was later to become Wilkinson County met with 
approval throughout many parts of the state. Numbers 
of settlers flocked to the newly seized lands. Cabins were 
built as the vast expanse of fertile lands stretching be¬ 
tween the two rivers was now opened for the masses of 


(82) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


83 


land-hungry Georgians heretofore forbidden to cross the 
Oconee in search of new lands. How many came, how 
thickly settled this country became under the brief re¬ 
gime of Clarke, written records fail to disclose. However 
there are indisputable signs evident in innumerable places 
in the county which prove that at some period before the 
county was finally settled, white men in considerable num¬ 
bers dwelt here. This is shown by old house sites, where 
pieces of broken English pottery, pieces of iron, gun bar¬ 
rels, etc., are to be found and traditions are handed down 
that the first settlers had no knowledge of how these old 
house sites came to be there. 

Adventurous spirits, these, who first dared to build 
their homes on these lands. They came defying not merely 
the laws of Georgia; the laws of the United States; the 
power of Spain whose garrisons in Florida were in striking 
distance and who was championing the cause of the 
Creeks in every dispute with the whites; the power of 
England who was constantly exerting her influence with 
the lower Creeks and inciting them to depredations; but 
above all, they came in the face of all the horrors the In¬ 
dian nations could bring to bear upon them. Uneasy must 
have been the sleep of Clarke’s adherents during these 
months. 

The Indian massacres almost ceased. The riflemen of 
Clarke, as was the case during the Revolution, stood 
guard between the inhabitants of Georgia and their ene¬ 
mies. No wonder his enterprise should grow in favor with 
the Georgians, and his popularity which was already great 
should continue to grow. Few in Georgia dared to begin 
the opposition. Governor Matthews sent a half hearted 
demand for him to remove from the Indian lands, but 
Clarke having pacified the Indians, believed that he was 
doing Georgia no injury in settling on lands guaranteed 
to the Indians by the Federal Government, and that the 
militia of Georgia would never march against him. He 


84 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


was also convinced that the United States government had 
neither the constitutional right to interfere, nor sufficient 
military force to put any interference into effect and re¬ 
fused to obey the orders to remove from the Indian lands. 

But the federal government was thoroughly alarmed at 
the prospect of a rival republic so nearby, headed by the 
redoubtable Elijah Clarke whose prowess in battle, whose 
friendship with the French, whose popularity among the 
Georgians and Carolinians was so well known; a leader 
dreaded by the Indians as the Scourge of Death, who 
doubtless could ally them to his standard: a leader who 
only a few months before, had spread terror into the very 
midst of the walls of St. Augustine, when it had appeared 
that his Sans Culottes in conjunction with the French fleet 
would attack that place. None realized the possibilities of 
Clarke’s dream of an empire as did the federal authori¬ 
ties at the American seat of government. 

And yet none realized the impotence of the federal gov¬ 
ernment in dealing with this menace better than did the 
federal officials. There was a bare handful of soldiers in 
the whole federal army, which if sent against him in order 
to reach his settlements would have to march one hundred 
and fifty miles over land from the seacoast through a state 
whose sympathies were with Clarke. It was madness to 
make such an attempt. None knew the extent of Clarke’s 
popularity in Georgia and the Carolinas. The nearest 
federal troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
Gaither were at Fort Fidius, almost within gunshot of 
Fort Advance but it is a striking fact that not one act of 
aggression was made by these troops, evidently because 
of the unpopularity of the federal government, any act of 
these troops might so incense Clarke’s men, as well as in¬ 
cense other Georgians, that much trouble might result. 

In the dilemma, the Secretary of War called upon the 
Governor of Georgia to act with despatch in forcing 
Clarke to remove his men, and the Governor of South 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


85 


Carolina was likewise appealed to for aid in sending such 
forces to assist Georgia as might be needed. The bur¬ 
den of the removal was thus placed on the state, and the 
federal government avoided the criticism of further in¬ 
fringing on States Rights. 

Governor Matthews acted with alacrity. The campaign 
was now on. The manner in which Governor Matthews 
and his generals handled this campaign was a masterpiece 
of diplomacy. Instead of an immediate invasion with arms 
which might have had the effect of alienating much of 
Georgia, another plan, much more effectual was resorted 
to—that of propaganda. In this they were aided by the 
powerful charge of Judge Walton to the Richmond coun¬ 
ty Grand Jury in which Clarke’s Revolutionary service 
was praised and his present course condemned as violative 
of the laws of Georgia. This charge was printed and 
widely circulated. It successfully appealed to the zealous 
law-abiding citizens of the state, and the leaven began to 
work, as they realized that Clarke was violating the laws 
of Georgia. 

But suddenly another piece of strategy was resorted to 
which was destined to prove fully as effective, and which 
was intended to appeal to the cupidity of all the citizens, 
and under color of legal authority to do what Clarke was 
doing illegally, and which perhaps did more to mould sen¬ 
timent against Clarke than anything else. A petition was 
circulated throughout the state asking the Legislature 
which was to convene in November to pass an act for the 
surveying of the Indian lands and the opening of a land 
office for the distribution of the lands east of the Chat- 
tahooche to the citizens of Georgia. It quickly became ap¬ 
parent that the act would be passed by the Legislature. 
Sentiment in Georgia was soon running strong against 
Clarke, and some of the citizens began to urge the Gover¬ 
nor to remove his settlers. 

In the meantime military operations were not idle. 


86 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Forces of dragoons were raised, placed under the com¬ 
mand of Captain Fauche, with orders dated July 30th to 
blockade the line separating Georgia from Clarke’s set¬ 
tlements and prevent supplies and re-inforcements from 
Georgia reaching his garrisons. Detachments of these were 
placed at Waffords, High Shoals on the Apalachy, at Fort 
Twiggs, and at White Bluff, fifteen miles below Fort 
Fidius with orders to patrol the whole line. One-third of 
the entire militia of Georgia was ordered to hold them¬ 
selves in readiness to march at a moment’s notice. Heavy 
artillery was being brought to the scene of hostilities 
from Augusta and Savannah. 

Generals Twiggs and Irwin now considered the time 
ripe to treat with General Clarke and upon visiting him at 
Fort Advance attempted to reason with their Revolu¬ 
tionary comrade, and urged him to desist from his course 
of action. Clarke referred to his men the question of 
whether their demand should be acceded to and the forts 
surrendered. Their answer was that they would risk their 
lives in defense of their settlements, after which no 
amount of persuasion could change Clarke’s determina¬ 
tion to resist to the end. 

Operations now began in earnest. General Twiggs 
ordered Major David Adams, who a few weeks before 
was threatening to storm Fort Fidius, to cross the Oconee 
and urge the garrison at Fort Defiance to remove from 
the Indian lands. This was refused and Adams’ life threat¬ 
ened. He retired without injury to himself or his troops. 

When it became apparent that a resort to arms would 
be inevitable Clarke hastily began strengthening his forts. 
The garrisons in the various forts were withdrawn and 
concentrated at Fort Advance and Fort Defiance, he, him¬ 
self, remaining at Fort Advance. Perhaps the letter of 
Elijah Clarke to the Committee of Safety is the only copy 
of any official document issued by any official of the ill- 
fated Republic: 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


87 


Fort Advance, 5 th September, 1794 . 

Gentlemen: 

Your favor of the 3 d instant is now before me; accept my 
thanks for your information and attention to what may, if 
ever neglected, so materially injure our enterprise. I con¬ 
sider myself honored by meeting with the unanimous voice 
of all the officers belonging to the different garrisons. I shall 
always endeavor to acquit myself worthy of the command 
committed to my charge. The information you have received 
agrees with mine from Augusta. The artillery of Augusta, 
are ordered to be in readiness to march in eight or ten days,, 
and one-third of the militia are directed to be draughted. It 
has been tried in Burke and Richmond counties, but quite 
unsuccessful; the troops declare they will not fight against 
us. I am happy to find the disposition of the people with you, 
so exactly agrees with my own friends’ here; I believe it to 
be the general disposition of every garrison. I am deter- 
minately fixed to risk every thing, with my life, upon the is¬ 
sue, and for the success of the enterprise; you will apply to 
the enclosed orders how to conduct yourselves with inimical 
individuals. In case of a body appearing, you will give me 
the earliest information. If you are summoned to surrender 
in the garrison, you must refuse, with a firmness ever ac¬ 
companying the brave. Inform those who apply, that, if you 
have done wrong, and the grand jury of the county have 
cognizance of your crime, you will cheerfully submit to be 
tried by a jury of }'Our fellow-citizens. But you will con¬ 
sider any orders from the Secretary of War, to be unconsti¬ 
tutional ; the Governor’s proclamation, as determined in 
Wilkes, illegal. I am informed that Captain Fauche’s troop 
are directed to stop men and supplies, crossing to the south 
side of the Oconee. They have no right to take hold of any 
private property whatever, and, for everything detained, to 
the value of one shilling, belonging to any adventurer, they 
shall suffer the penalty of the law. If such case should turn 
up, apply to a magistrate, and bind the party offending to 
the next superior court. To avoid disputes, it will be best to 
use a prudent precaution in every case. The president of the 
board of officers, E. Bradley, Esq., mentions my appointing 
a meeting of the committee of safety on Monday, the fifth 
of October; if it is the first Monday of the month, that is the 
day on which our constitution requires them to meet. If two 
members meet, they may adjourn from day to day, until the 


88 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


whole or a majority of them can be convened. It is entirely 
out of my power to appoint the 22d of this month, or any 
other day, if it does not agree with the constitution; you will 
attend to appointing your members for the committee on the 
15 th of this month, at the several garrisons. Meet the first 
Monday in next month, but, in case of the election as men¬ 
tioned, the members who cannot attend on Monday, meet 
on Tuesday or Wednesday, that is, those who first meet 
must adjourn from day to day, until they are convened. 
Must beg you to copy orders, and send them to the several 
garrisons above you. 

Yours, etc., 

E. CLARKE. 

NOTE.—You receive one petition, which will suit every¬ 
body but a real torv. Our own people and particular friends 
will subscribe them, with the addition of the office being 
opened to no persons but those who will become settlers. 
(I. A. p. 501 .) 

On September 23rd a detachment of Fauche’s dragoons 
succeeded in capturing one of Clarke’s lieutenants near 
Fort Advance and later in the day being reinforced, seized 
the landing opposite the fort and began cutting Clarke’s 
lines of communications. On the 25th Fauche arrived with 
other reinforcements and two other prisoners fell into the 
hands of the Georgians. 

In the meantime Brigadier-General Jared Irwin was ap¬ 
proaching with his forces. On the 26th he took up his line 
of march from Town Creek, nine miles from Fort Fidius, 
and proceeded to cross the Oconee and encamp near Fort 
Advance. On the same day Col. William Melton of the 
Greene county militia, who had won fame the year before 
as an Indian fighter when at the head of the Green county 
yeomenry he had carried the war into the very heart of the 
marauding Creek town, and made the Indians respect the 
strength of the Georgia militia having now with his com¬ 
mand formed a junction with Colonel Lamar and Ma¬ 
jor Adams and other officers of the militia arrived on the 
scene and crossing the river cut off all communication be¬ 
tween the beleaguered forts. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


89 


Closer and closer the cordon of steel was being drawn 
around Clarke’s forts. Up to now not a man had been 
killed or even wounded. On the 27th the Georgians were 
in position and ready to advance. Before the assault was 
ordered General Irwin made a last appeal to General 
Clarke, and urged him to march his men out with all the 
honors of war. 

The supreme crisis of the life of Elijah Clarke had ar¬ 
rived. Absolutely devoid of fear, as had been so ably 
demonstrated in the scores of battles in which he had en¬ 
gaged in the struggle for liberty against British oppres¬ 
sion, no show of force could induce a surrender, provided 
that force was composed of enemies. To yield meant the 
crash of his dreams of glory and of the empire which had 
been almost within his grasp, dreams of a mighty nation 
that he would build in this, the choicest territories of the 
New World, dreams of marching at the head of conquer¬ 
ing armies into the lands of the enemies of his new nation. 

But he was being confronted with a power against 
which he had not counted when he originated his plans. 
At most he had probably expected a Federal army to be 
sent against him—and he felt convinced he would be do¬ 
ing no wrong to resist such a force of a government which 
was not only oppressing the state of Georgia by its assump¬ 
tion of authority over the Indian lands but would be acting 
unconstitutionally in so doing. But instead of strange sol¬ 
diers, commanded by strange generals, there stood before 
him in battle array men whom he loved, the very men 
who had fought and bled with him in the battles of the 
Revolution, men whom he had provided with homes on 
the lands between the Ogeechee and the Oconee, through 
his'Indian treaties, and by his certificates of Revolutionary 
service; commanding these men was his beloved old com¬ 
rade-at-arms, Jared Irwin,—and above these men, there 
floated the banner of Georgia, the banner for which he 
had given his life blood on more than one battlefield and 


90 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


had devoted the best years of his life. Upon these he 
could not order his men to fire. For the first time in his 
life the grand old Revolutionary chieftain acknowledged 
defeat. The colors of his Republic bowed before the ban¬ 
ner of Georgia, and Clarke’s men marched out of the fort. 

Fort Defiance having now also surrendered, the torch 
was applied on the 28th of September. From garrison to 
garrison and from cabin to cabin the flames were spread. 
Clarke’s settlers w r ere scattered and today, tradition re¬ 
mains to tell the story of the Trans-Oconee Republic. 

For a brief period, Clarke’s star was in eclipse, but 
two years later he witnessed the utter disgrace of Matth¬ 
ew’s administration. Could he have lived a few years 
longer than he did, he would have beheld his son, John 
Clarke, organizing his famous Clark party, and later as 
governor, guiding the affairs of state in the rapidly grow¬ 
ing city that had sprung up almost on the very ashes of 
Fort Defiance. 

Note: The exact location of the Clarke’s Forts seems 
to have been lost during the lapse of more than a century. 
However, a careful examination of Indian Affairs, Vol. 1, 
gives us such data as permits us to fix the various places 
with some definiteness. We have seen that the main cross¬ 
ing of the Oconee in this section was at the Rock Landing 
and that a garrison was there until 1793 when Fort 
Fidius was built, and the garrison was moved to Fort 
Fidius. It is extremely probable that Fort Fidius was 
built for the health of the soldiers on a bluff a few 
hundred yards from Rock Landing when we take into con¬ 
sideration the fact that removal to any great distance 
would have very likely created some objection on the part 
of the state of Georgia, as this state was not feeling kindly 
to the federal government just now. We also find Sea- 
grove, the federal Indian agent, writing of Rock Landing 
and Fort Fidius as if they were one and the same place. 
(Ind. Affairs, Vol. 1, 408, 409.) The fact that they were 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


91 


very close together is further shown on page 394 where 
it is stated that General Twiggs command crossed the 
Oconee near Rock Landing and on page 421 it was stated 
that they crossed at Fort Fidius. 

Anyone driving along the Milledgeville and Tooms- 
boro Road between these creeks cannot but notice the 
suitableness of the level lands for the purpose of build¬ 
ing a city thereon. Clarke’s sans culottes had their camp 
opposite the Rock Landing prior to their departure for 
Florida. (Ind. Affairs, Vol. 1, p. 485.) Upon his return 
we thus find him building his metropolis on the lands op¬ 
posite Fort Fidius. Anyone selecting the site for a me¬ 
tropolis in this section would most assuredly choose these 
high, level lands. 

Note: Data for the above obtained from Dr. E. M. 
Coulter’s “Elijah Clarke’s Foreign Intrigues and Trans- 
Oconee Republic”; Vol. 1, Indian Affairs; Vol. 1, Foreign 
Relations; Vol. 11, Stevens’ History of Georgia; White’s 
Statistics; Chappell’s Miscellanies of Georgia. 


Chapter XIII 


TRANS-OCONEE LANDS LAID OFF IN 
DISTRICTS 

T HE propaganda set in motion for the purpose of re¬ 
moving Elijah Clarke, and providing for the taking 
possession of all the Indian lands east of the Chattahoo¬ 
chee by legal processes was soon to take the form of an 
enactment of the Legislature. A few months later when 
the Legislature met, so great was the demand for more 
lands on which the citizens of Georgia could settle, the 
act was passed, and on December 28, 1794, received Gov¬ 
ernor Matthews’ signature. 

It provided $20,000.00 for the purpose of extinguishing 
the Indian claims “should any there be,” and the senators 
and representatives in Congress were directed to apply 
for a treaty to be held with the Indians for these lands. 

The act provided that persons applying for these lands 
could obtain 300 acres headright, 50 acres for his wife 
and 50 acres for each child under 16 years of age. One of 
the requirements was that every person acquiring said 
lands must settle in said district within twelve months and 
cultivate at least one acre to every hundred acres granted 
him. 

In order to encourage settlers still more to move on 
said lands the act exempted them from all taxes for four 
years. 

The act further provided as follows: 

“That the territory lying between the rivers Oconee, 
the branch thereof called the Apalachy, and the Ocmul- 
gee, shall be laid off into five districts, in the following 
manner, viz: All that part from the confluence of the 
Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers, up to a line to be run di¬ 
rectly from Carr’s bluff, on the Oconee, to the place 

(92) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


95 


where the Cussetah path crosses the Ocmulgee river, 
shall form the first district: All that part lying between 
the said line, and a parallel line to be run directly from 
the mouth of Shoulderbone to the Ocmulgee river, shall 
form the second district: All that part lying between the 
said last mentioned line, and a parallel line to be run from 
the mouth of Jack’s creek, on the Apalachy river, to where 
the same shall intersect the northernmost, or the main, 
branch of the Ocmulgee river, shall form the third dis¬ 
trict : All that part lying between the north and south 
branches of the Ocmulgee river, that is to say, from the 
fork thereof, up the said northern or main branch of the 
said Ocmulgee, to the place where the Bloody-trail 
crosses the same, thence a due west course to the Chatta¬ 
hoochee river, thence down the said river to a point on 
the same, from which a due east line shall strike the head 
or source of the main southernmost branch of the said 
Ocmulgee, thence down the same to the place of begin¬ 
ning, shall form the fourth district: And all the remaining 
part of the said territory shall form the fifth district. 

“And be it further enacted, That his Excellency the 
Governor shall, previously to his issuing any warrant of 
survey to the citizens of this state, or any other person 
whatsoever, cause three thousand acres of land to be laid 
off on the south side of the Altamaha river, on the bluff 
lying nearest to the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmul¬ 
gee rivers; two thousand acres on the south side of the 
Oconee river, on the most advantageous bluff, near the 
Rock Landing; together with one thousand acres, in addi¬ 
tion to the foregoing in each of the districts contemplated 
by this act, in the most advantageous parts of the said 
districts, for public uses.” 

It was provided, however, that the act should not take 
effect until two months after a treaty should be made with 
the Indians. 

There was now the prospect that this section which in 


94 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


later years would be Wilkinson county would be the most 
favored for development in the whole state. At the lower 
extremity near the confluence of the Oconee and the Oc- 
mulgee there would spring up a large city which would 
have the broad Altamaha as an artery of commerce. At 
the Rock Landing which was considered the head of navi¬ 
gation of the Oconee and also the converging point of so 
many Indian trails would be built another city. One of 
these would have undoubtedly been made the capital of 
Georgia. How great must have been the changes in the 
tale that history now tells of Wilkinson county had the 
dreams of the whole people of Georgia been realized in 
this effort to get possession of the lands of this section. 

However, the enactment by the Georgia Legislature 
created much disturbance in the mind of President Wash¬ 
ington and upon getting information of it hastily sent a 
special message to Congress concerning both it, and the 
infamous Yazoo Act which was passed about the same 
time. In his message he stated, “These acts embrace an 
object of such magnitude and in their consequence may so 
deeply affect the peace and welfare of the United States 
that I thought it necessary now to lay them before Con¬ 
gress.” 

Congress immediately enacted laws prohibiting depre¬ 
dations against the lands of the Indians and authorizing 
the military forces of the United States to confine parties 
guilty of this offense. 

The failure of the federal government to get any ces¬ 
sions of the lands in question from the Creeks for the time 
being, prevented the realization of the plans outlined in 
the act of the Georgia Legislature. However, complaints 
of the surveying of lands and the using of them by the 
white men were frequently made. 

In the meantime the storm of disapproval over the Ya¬ 
zoo Act, which was in reality a supplemental act of the 
one in question was sweeping Georgia. Likewise, Congress 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


95 


was expressing its disapproval in the strongest of terms. 
Instead of pursuing the original course of attempting to 
get a great deal of the Indian lands, the efforts of the 
Georgians were now limited to procuring the lands lying 
between the Oconee and the Ocmulgee. The Governor, 
Senators and Congressmen approached President Wash¬ 
ington on the subject and a few months afterward he ap¬ 
pointed Benjamin Hawkins, George Clymer and Andrew 
Pickens as commissioners to bring about the treaty. No¬ 
tices were sent to the Creeks inviting them to meet at 
Colerain for a treaty and in 1796 it was held. The nego¬ 
tiations were a complete failure insofar as the acquisition 
of any lands was concerned. The Indians were determined 
to sell no more. All that the Commissioners could get the 
Indians to agree to was that the federal forts might be 
built on the Indian lands and a tract about five miles square 
on the Indian lands opposite Fort Fidius was set aside for 
a trading post and fort. The description of the tract recom¬ 
mended as a post as taken from the Journal of the Proceed¬ 
ings of the treaty is as follows: 

“The Cowetas and Cussetahs visited us, to take leave. 

“They requested that the President would cause the 
troops, at Fort Fidius, to be removed as soon as possible. 
That, after gaining the best information they could, from 
the hunters, who were present, they now came to recom¬ 
mend one place. 

“There is a high bluff, a little below Fort Fidius, per¬ 
haps one mile below, on their lands. Two miles below this 
bluff, there is a creek, called Itchee-wam-otchee, and, 
about three miles above the bluff, there is another creek, 
called Thlock-laoso, or Fishing Creek, very valuable, al¬ 
ways, for fish, particularly for shad in the spring. The 
lands between the creeks is high and good, and, bordering 
on the creeks, covered with cane, and fine for stock. This 
is the fittest place for a military post, according to the in¬ 
formation w T hich they have obtained. 


96 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


“The chiefs request, that, if this spot is selected by the 
President, the troops of the garrison, and those connected 
therewith, only, should be permitted to take fish out of the 
waters belonging to the Indians. 

“There is another bluff, about one day’s ride, or twenty- 
five miles, still higher up the river, and the same distance 
below the mouth of the Apalachy, or Tulapocka, where 
the old Oakfuskee path crosses the Oconee. They mention 
this, but cannot recommend it; it is not so high as the 
other, nor the lands so valuable; however, it is the best 
they now have any information of, and they thought they 
would inform us of it.” 

Although the War Department did not build Fort Wil¬ 
kinson on the bluff suggested by the Indians, yet it was 
built between the creeks and about three miles above the 
bluff they recommended. The fort was begun in the early 
part of 1797 and the garrison moved to that place, Col¬ 
onel Gaither commanding. Thus, according to the treaty, 
the tract of land five miles square was attached to the post. 
The store used as a trading post for the Indians was com¬ 
pleted in September. 

The moving of the garrison from Fort Fidius now nec¬ 
essitated a change in the crossing of the river and the site 
just above the mouth of Camp Creek was selected. 


Chapter XIV 


THE HARRISON MASSACRE OF THE UCHEES 

O N October 28, 1795, an event occurred near Carr’s 
Bluff which again threatened to plunge Georgia into a 
general Creek Indian War. A number of Indians had 
crossed the Oconee on a visit and was in one of the homes 
near the Bluff, apparently behaving themselves peaceably 
when Benjamin Harrison, Vessels and others gathered a 
band of settlers together and fell upon the Indians, mas¬ 
sacring seventeen, in cold blood, consisting of one Creek, 
four lower Creeks and twelve Uchees. 

A storm of indignation swept the whole Creek nation at 
what they considered such an act of treachery on the part 
of the whites. On all sides rose the cry for vengeance, 
from tribe to tribe the bloody stick was borne by the fleet 
runners and at the appointed time the avengers were en 
route for Carr’s Bluff. The Uchees were the most out¬ 
raged of any of the tribes. The Indians had learned that 
Harrison had led the expedition and although Harrison 
had built himself a stockade for the defense of his plan¬ 
tation, this did not deter the Indians from the attack. 
At dawn the attack was made in true Indian fashion, 
but to the disappointment of the Indians they found Har¬ 
rison gone. After burning his stockade they swooped 
down on Old Bushes Fort nearby, capturing that fort, 
killing one man and after killing cows and taking horses 
they returned to the Indian nation. 

In the meantime the murder of the Indians by Harri¬ 
son had created such a revulsion of feeling on the part of 
the people of Georgia that the Indians were not blamed 
for their attack. The Legislature passed resolutions of re¬ 
gret at Harrison’s act. He and a number of his men 
were arrested on the charge of murder. All these activities 
on the part of Georgia were made known to President 
( 97 ) 


98 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Washington and to the Creek Indians, as the Treaty of 
Colerain which was then pending necessitated that the 
Creeks be placated as much as possible. Seagrove at once 
took up the matter with the Creek chieftains and got their 
promise to wait until Washington could be heard from be¬ 
fore taking further vengeance and at the same time prom¬ 
ising the Indians that the murderers would be executed. 

The date set for the treaty to be held at Colerain being 
in June, 1796, hostilities now ceased. However, at the 
treaty they at once brought this question up, demanding 
redress. Numbers of the relatives of the murdered Indians 
were on hand expecting to see Harrison executed for the 
crime at this place. 

John Galphin whose rascalities had caused him to be 
outlawed by the Americans and who was refused admit¬ 
tance into the meeting at Colerain now shrewdly used the 
H arrison Massacre as a means of getting himself recog¬ 
nized as a part of the convention. Having under his in¬ 
fluence a large band of young Indian braves who were at 
all times eager to do his bidding he came boldly into the 
Indian camp. The chiefs informed him of the fact that 
the American Commissioners had forbidden his coming 
to the convention. He served notice that if he went away 
he would carry his young men with him. The Indian chiefs 
at once realized the significance of this statement and that 
if he and his warriors rode away many of whom had 
friends killed by Harrison, the frontiers of Georgia would 
feel the weight of his displeasure. Hastily they went to 
the Commissioners and explained the situation and re¬ 
quested the Commissioners to permit Galphin to remain 
in their camp where they could keep an eye on him. 

During the course of the proceedings at Colerain, the 
chiefs and friends of the towns which had lost Indians in 
the massacre made a second visit to the Commissioners, 
inquiring whether the murderers would be punished, giv¬ 
ing the Commissioners a full account of the occurrence, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


99 


and stating that the letter from Seagrove which promised 
redress had caused them to suspend their usual mode of 
vengeance. 

Next day “the Indian chiefs again visited the Commis¬ 
sioners to deliver a message from the children and near 
relations of the murdered men. They mentioned the dis¬ 
tressed condition of six young children and some others 
whose dependence for support was upon those who were 
killed: that besides this loss, some property was taken 
at the time, to which they had just claim: that they now 
applied for the property, the whole of which was not 
much, but, little as it was, it was of value to the relatives. 
If the murderers could be punished, this loss would be 
deemed of still less value, and they should never have 
mentioned it. But they hoped, as the commissioners came 
to see justice done, they would order this payment, and 
cause the chiefs to carry it and deliver it in their name to 
the relatives.” 

This request was agreed to but the next day the chiefs 
came again explaining the vexation of the relatives of the 
victims at there being no execution of Harrison, and asked 
advice as to what information they could give them. They 
agreed to follow the advice which should be sent them by 
President Washington, but urged that the guilty be pun¬ 
ished. They stated that they did not believe the murderer 
would ever be punished in Georgia and that they had no 
other reliance than on the justice of the President. 

Vessels, one of the party charged with the crime, soon 
died but the courts delayed months and months any sem¬ 
blance of trial of the others. In the meantime the Uchees 
had not forgotten the massacre and in the spring of 1797 
after having waited eighteen months for the courts of 
Washington county to try Harrison, they suddenly with¬ 
out warning fell upon the settlements near Long Bluff, a 
few miles above Carr’s Bluff, killing a man named Brown 
and seriously wounding his wife, burned three houses, 
fences, etc. 


100 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Benjamin Hawkins who had now been appointed the 
Indian Agent in the place of Seagrove at once demanded 
that the Creek chiefs punish the Uchees who had commit¬ 
ted these depredations. A meeting of the nation was called 
and certain chiefs, one of whom being Tustunnagau 
Emauthlau was appointed to execute the Uchees who 
committed the murder. (Note: This was the same Tus¬ 
tunnagau Emauthlau who was arrested for an offence in 
Oglethorpe county, confined in jail and while in the jail, a 
mob attempting to storm the jail was fired upon, some be¬ 
ing killed, by the Georgia militia protecting the Indian 
chieftain, who was later acquitted by a jury of that 
county.) 

Upon hearing that the other Indians had decreed the 
death of those who had killed Brown, the Uchees deter¬ 
mined to resist any effort to carry it into effect. A civil 
war among the Creeks was now in prospect. At the same 
time letters from Deputy Agent Richard Thomas were 
being received stating that the Uchees w T ere on the war¬ 
path against the frontiers of Washington and a few days 
later he wrote again that another man and woman had 
been killed near Long Bluff. 

In the meantime the Indian who led the party which 
killed Brown had filed his plea with the Creek chieftains 
and gave as his reason, that he had lost his son in the Har¬ 
rison Massacre and although he had waited a long time 
he had never received satisfaction for it. This plea was 
apparently a justifiable defense in the eyes of the Creeks 
but they notified Hawkins that if he insisted on retalia¬ 
tion when he returned to their nation they would kill the 
leader of the band and one of the Uchee women. 

The entire Uchee tribe continued very bitter towards 
the white settlers throughout the year. During September 
of 1797 they again started on the warpath. The other 
Creeks, however, hurried runners after them commanding 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


101 


them to return and thus further bloodshed was averted 
for the time being. 

During November the chiefs appointed to execute the 
leader of the Uchees who had killed Brown, at the head 
of a band of Creek warriors marched to the Uchee town 
but he had fled. They followed him from town to town 
among the Indians until at last he fled to the Shawnees, 
too far away to pursue farther. The chiefs then consulted 
one another about their old custom of killing one of the 
family in the place of the culprit, and but for the orders 
of Hawkins this would have been done. 

In February, 1798, the hostile Uchees again crossed 
the Oconee, killing a man by the name of William Allen 
near Long Bluff. At the time the woods on the Wilkinson 
county side were filled with bands of hunting Indians, 
some of whom had their women and children in the camps. 
The commander of the federal forces at Fort Wilkinson 
at once recognizing the peril the Indian hunters were in 
by reason of the killing of Allen, should the Washington 
county settlers fall upon them, hurried forces of cavalry 
from Indian camp to Indian camp appraising them of the 
danger they were in. 

A few days later, an Indian climbed a tree on the west 
side of the Oconee near Long Bluff to talk with a man 
named Oats. While the conversation was going on some 
one slipped up behind Oats and shot the Indian, killing 
him on the spot. Fearing the vengeance of the Indians 
would be turned against him, Oats removed from his 
plantation. About this time another Indian was killed 
near Long Bluff. A white hunter on the Washington coun¬ 
ty side heard what he thought to be the bleat of a fawn 
and halted. He then heard something like a snap of a gun 
and looking about saw an Indian, who had just flashed at 
him. Jumping behind a tree, he fired and killed the Indian. 
Letters of Benjamin Hawkins, pp. 450, 102, 249, 288, 


102 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


462, 463, 464. Indian Affairs, Vol. 1, pp. 615, 616, 595, 
610. 

A story told the author by J. J. McArthur which was 
told him by his grandmother Pearson, is to the effect that 
the Pearsons had moved across the Oconee and were liv¬ 
ing on the Indian lands prior to the treaty of Fort Wil¬ 
kinson and that one morning early they noticed an Indian 
prowling around rather suspiciously. They immediately 
opened fire upon him, killing him. Realizing what it would 
mean should the Indians learn of their having killed him, 
they at once destroyed all traces of the killing and after 
weighting the body put it in an old lagoon in the Oconee 
swamp. 


Chapter XV 


EFAU HAUJO FINDS THE REMEDY FOR 
HORSE STEALING 

A S an illustration of the enormity of the losses occas¬ 
ioned by the Indian horse thieves, the Georgia Com¬ 
missioners at the treaty of Colerain complained of a loss 
of 825 horses, 1,159 cattle, 495 hogs and 115 houses 
burned. One can easily understand the reason for so much 
thieving among the Indians as the Indians felt the need 
of horses very badly. They were frequently invited to 
visit the Spaniards in St. Augustine and Pensacola for 
treaties and these towns were hundreds of miles distant. 
The Americans would invite them to various places for 
treaties which required much journeying. Often it was- 
necessary for them to come nearly a hundred miles to 
trade at Rock Landing, Fort Fidius or Fort Wilkinson.. 
Once a year they had to come here for their stipends paid 
by the federal government under the treaty. The grow¬ 
ing scarcity of game required them to go many miles on 
hunting expeditions. Lack of salt and proper feed caused 
many of their horses to die and the “jackies” or ponies 
they attempted to raise were of inferior quality. Thus* 
horses were to them such a necessity as they felt war¬ 
ranted in getting them from the Georgians in any manner 
possible. 

However, the Indians were not altogether to blame 
for the stealing, as shown by extracts from the letter of 
the White Lieutenant of the Ocfuskees, “I likewise 
undertook to inform you of a thing, you, before, per¬ 
haps, have been ignorant of, viz: no sooner the talks 
become a little friendly, but our paths are filled with trav¬ 
eling renegade people, and some families that pretend 
they are going to the Spanish country; others of them are 

(103) 


104 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


bad men, who steal from your people, and fly to our land, 
and impose their plunder on us, and we, though in a state 
of ignorance, are blamed for it ... I likewise take 
the liberty to inform you, that it is my opinion that bad 
men that live on the frontiers of your country, do your 
people and ours great injury by gening our drunken peo¬ 
ple over the line, and buying their property from them, 
particularly horses, (with rum) the people are then on 
foot, and, sooner than remain so, go and steal the first 
man’s horse they come across; this, I hope you will pre¬ 
vent by some early step, as, if suffered, it will tend to bad 
consequences.” • 

With the rise of Efau Haujo to power in the Creek na¬ 
tion, the chieftains were induced to enact such a law T 
among themselves as could be effectually enforced and 
which stopped horse thieving in this section. Thus, short¬ 
ly after the treaty of Colerain, whipping was made the 
penalty for all those who dwelt in the Indian nations who 
stole horses, and the Indians, themselves were the ones to 
inflict the punishment. No one was allowed to sell or buy 
a horse, to or from an Indian without a permit from Ben¬ 
jamin Hawkins who had now succeeded Seagrove. How 
well this law worked on the Indians is shown by the letter 
of Richard Thomas, Dep. Agt. to Benjamin Hawkins 
(Letters of B. H., pages 488, 489). “With pleasure I an¬ 
nounce to you that the law enacted by the chiefs at the 
Tuckabatchee, with respect to the horse thieves, has been 
put in force by Efau Tustunnagau and his warriors and 
one of the sticks that was made use of to inflict the pun¬ 
ishment sent to the Cowetas and the Tallauhassee. The 
next day the Cowetas brought in four horses; they say 
they found them this side of the line. Another of the sticks 
has been sent down the river to the towns below. The 
Ooseuchees stole five horses from the white people; four 
is brought in and one died by the bite of a snake. If the 
chiefs are peaceably inclined, they will certainly punish 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


105 


the horse thieves and deliver up the horses, but if they 
should be only waiting a supply of powder from the 
Spaniards, they will not think of fulfilling their promises 
to you. I shall keep a good lookout, and if any talks or in¬ 
vitations arrive from the Spaniards, will immediately in¬ 
form you of it.” 

As early as 1792 these seems to have been an outlaw 
organization, its ramifications extending throughout the 
Creek nation, and having confederates throughout Geor¬ 
gia, North and South Carolina. The Creeks were contin¬ 
uously raiding the Kentucky and Tennessee settlements, 
driving off their droves of fine horses, and after bringing 
them through the Creek nation, would, by means of white 
confederates convey them to Savannah, and the seaport 
towns of the Carolinas, where good prices could be ob¬ 
tained and where recovery by their owners was practical¬ 
ly impossible. (I. A., page 265.) 

The traffic in stolen horses thus seems to have grown to 
immense proportions. On their swift Kentucky steeds, the 
Indian braves could make their sudden attacks on the 
frontiers along the Oconee and laden with loot dash back 
along the paths leading across these lands and to safety 
before pursuers could start on the trail. The nearness to 
Florida made it possible to dispose of any horses not 
needed by these outlaw bands. The trails of this section 
were thus filled by a stream of horses from the Indian na¬ 
tion to be sold in Georgia, and another stream of horses 
stolen in Georgia for use elsewhere. And woe to the trav¬ 
eler who met these outlaws and who was not able to pro¬ 
tect himself. 

The Tory element which had settled among the Indians 
as usual was found more troublesome when it came to 
stealing horses than any other. “From the declaration of 
peace to the introduction of the plan of civilization in 
1796, these white people generally continued their preda¬ 
tory warfare; at that period some of the worst fled, some 


105 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


died and some promised to reform; their red associates 
stole horses and they found a market for them.” 

The law enacted by the Indian chieftains now began to 
apply to this Tory element and they found themselves re¬ 
ceiving the same punishment which the Indians received. 
This caused many to leave the nation. Efau Haujo in a 
“talk” to Hawkins says: 

“The white horse thieves are censuring my conduct and 
say it is no business of mine who steals horses or who 
comes and goes without passports, but I shall do my duty 
regardless of their threats or frowns.” (Letters of B. 
Hawkins, p. 496, 429.) 


Chapter XVI 


TRESPASSING ON THE INDIAN LANDS 

T HE rush of settlers shortly after the Revolution to 
the lands east of the Oconee river quickly took up all 
the available lands on that side and then there was the 
clamor for more lands. Across the Oconee they could see 
stretching from the Oconee to the Ocmulgee vast forests 
of monster yellow pines, limitless fields of wild oats, offer¬ 
ing pasturing for myriads of cattle and horses, going to 
waste under these pines: the lowlands covered with hard¬ 
wood, berries, fields of reeds, also offering unlimited pas¬ 
turage for hogs, cattle and horses, millions of acres of the 
most productive lands in the world, wasting for the sake 
of the herds of deer, the bear, and other game which the 
Indians valued so highly. Soon the cattle, horses and hogs 
on the east side got hungry and it was an easy matter to 
get them across the river to the land of plenty. As the 
years passed, more and more of the whites began to take 
advantage of this free pasturage. Farther and farther 
from the river the animals would feed. Each man would 
have some particular spot to salt his cows and in this way 
could keep up with his herds. Others would feed their hogs 
at certain places. It is a tradition that Cowpen Creek, a 
few miles west of Irwinton was so named from numerous 
cowpens built on it by those driving their cows here from 
Washington county while the lands still belonged to the 
Indians. The abundance of game and fish here also lured 
the white hunters across the river to hunt, fish, and trap. 

Indian hunters soon learned of the trespassing by the 
whites on their lands. Complaints were frequently made 
by the Indians. The Georgians would complain of the In¬ 
dians stealing horses, cattle and hogs. Benjamin Hawkins 
tells of one Indian lad who was in this section with a heavy 
( 107 ) 


108 HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 

pack of skins to carry back to Cusseta Indian town. Nine 
years prior to this his brother had a horse stolen from him 
by the whites. He came across a mare and colt grazing on 
the Indian lands. Catching the mare he packed his skins 
on her back and rode her into Cusseta town with the colt 
at her heels. Being informed that he would have to give 
her up, he refused until he could see his brother who had 
lost a horse. 

In the face of the Indian depredations, squatters began 
to cross the river as early as 1793 and build houses on the 
Indian lands, so great was the demand for more land. A 
vivid picture of the situation here is given in the letter of 
Timothy Barnard, Deputy Agent, to Seagrove. 

Flint River, 26th March, 1793- 


Dear Sir: 

Your express, by Mr. Mordecai, came safe to hand; I received it 
at the Cussetahs, where I have been ever since my last to you, by 
Mr. John Galphin, except five days I spent at the Buzzard Roost, 
where I was obliged to attend in consequence of some complaints I 
heard from the Indians, respecting the inhabitants on the Oconee 
driving great gangs of cattle over on this side in the fork of Jullah 
Packa, and from that up, forty or fifty miles higher; besides that the 
white people had built two or three houses on this side. When I got 
to the Buzzard Roost, I found the report I had heard was not 
groundless, as there was a white man that had just arrived at the 
Roost from Rock Landing, who convinced me that it was the case. 
I heard, while I was at the Roost, that the Cowetas were just going 
out to drive off all the stocks and kill some of the inhabitants. I im¬ 
mediately sent off an express to the Rock Landing, and wrote to the 
commanding officer there, to order the people to drive their stocks 
back. I likewise acquainted his Excellency the Governor with the 
circumstance, and of the ill consequences that would follow, if he 
did not put a final stop to such proceedings; I at the same time 
wrote to Captain Philips, that lives nearly opposite where those cat¬ 
tle were driven over. I have since been at the town, had a letter 
from Captain Phillips, where he mentions, that some of the hunting 
Indians had given them liberty, last fall, to drive their stock over 
till the spring, which I do not believe; but whether or not, I should 
imagine that they might have a little more knowledge of Indian 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


109 


matters than to think such liberties would hold good with the whole 
nation. Major Gaither was kind enough to answer my letter, where¬ 
in he informs me that he has given his orders for all the stock to be 
driven back, which he says was duly complied with. A few da)^s ago 
at the meeting, I have had more complaints laid before me of the 
like nature which I immediately informed Major Gaither of, and 
Captain Philips; both of which is, that the white people came and 
encamped out, thirty or forty miles on this side of the river, and 
hunted, with fire, and all day with rifles, and destroyed the game 
so bad, that they can hardly find a turkey or a deer to kill, and with 
great gangs of dogs hunting bear; this the Indians say they cannot 
put up with; and if the white people do not decline such proceed¬ 
ings, they will kill some of them. . . Had it not been for those 

imprudent steps of the Oconee settlers, driving their stocks over the 
river, the Shawanese talks would not have had near as much effect 
on the minds of the Creeks, as it was a good subject for the Shaw¬ 
anese to work on, telling them it was the way the white people 
served them to the northward. (I. A., pp. 381, 382.) 

The trespassing on the Indian lands is blamed for a lot 
of the Indian troubles of this period. Likewise this in all 
probability encouraged to a great extent the attempted 
settling of these lands in 1794 by Elijah Clarke. 

Following the drastic action taken by the Georgians in 
removing Clarke’s settlers, there seems to have been 
fewer violations of the law forbidding trespassing on the 
Indian lands for a short period of time. However, before 
the treaty of Colerain in 1796, they were at it again. At 
this treaty the complaint of the Indians is as follows: 

“On the west side of the Oconee, high up, that is, from 
Fort Fidius upward, that the woods is full of cattle, hogs, 
and horses, some of which range near the Ocmulgee. Be¬ 
sides that, those woods are constantly full of white men, 
hunters, even going about in the night, hunting deer with 
firelight. They say their hunters, in consequence of such 
proceedings, are frightened, and drove in from their hunt¬ 
ing grounds; every cane swamp, where they go to look for 
a bear, which is part of their support, is near eat out with 
the stocks put over by the citizens of Georgia. 

“ . . . From the fork of the Oconee and Oc- 


110 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


mulgee, up to the mouth of Apalachy, and all up the west 
side of that river, there have been seen, hogs, horses, and 
cattle, ranging as far back as the waters of Ocmulgee, 
all the winter past. As that land is the property of the In¬ 
dians, these must be immediately removed to the east side 
of the Oconee. 

“The white people come over hunting; they hunt by 
night, with fire; they go even to the creeks of Ocmulgee, 
they encamp, and tarry days and nights on the heads of 
those waters; they carry off fish by loads, and when the 
Indian hunters come into these lands, they find the whites 
there, taking their deer and other game; and this they do 
constantly. This is a complaint, which the whole represen¬ 
tation of the nation now present, old and young, make to 
you. And we require that an immediate stop should be put 
to this trespass on our rights. The young men, particular¬ 
ly, who are most interested and most injured by it, request 
this. 

“I have stated many complaints of the nation, and I am 
desirous to state the wishes of the Indians. It is, that it be 
exponed as the understanding of the nation present, that, 
from the middle of the Oconee, on the east side, belongs 
to the whites, that there they may do as they please; but 
that all the west side of this centre line which divides the 
Oconee, including creeks, and all waters, belongs to the 
Indians, and that the whites have no right to go there.” 
(Indian Affairs Vol. I, pp. 604, 607.) 

The complaint of Efau Haujo at the Treaty of Fort 
Wilkinson likewise illustrates some of the things the In¬ 
dians had to put up with during the years preceding 1802. 

The year following the treaty at Colerain found a num¬ 
ber of settlers on the west side of the Oconee not merely 
engaged in stockraising but now with plantations. Col. 
Gaither, the federal commander, placed himself at the 
head of cavalry and forced these settlers to remove and 
destroyed their plantations. In addition to the federal 
law, there was a state law providing for the punishment 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


111 


of trespassers on the Indian lands and the Justices of the 
counties along the river were required to punish violaters 
of this act. After the treaty of Fort Wilkinson this act 
was repealed and the statement was made that though the 
law was on the statute book yet not a single man had been 
convicted. 


THE LAMAR INSURRECTION 
During 1797, following the treaty of Colerain, which 
was such a bitter disappointment to the Georgians, the 
federal, Col. Gaither, found his hands full in preventing 
violations of the treaty. Though having destroyed the set¬ 
tlements of the trespassers who had actually made their 
homes on these earlier in the year, in May the poaching 
on these lands had become so notorious that detachments 
from Fort Fidius captured four Georgians and confined 
them in the fort on the charge of fire hunting. Announce¬ 
ment was made that they would be sent to Savannah to be 
tried by the Federal court. So great was the rage of the 
people of Hancock county at this act on the part of the 
federal soldiers, that Col. Thomas Lamar, who was at 
this time commanding the militia of Hancock county, 
having had considerable reputation as an Indian fighter in 
the expeditions sent out against the Indians, now placed 
himself at the head of one hundred men and marched 
against Fort Fidius and demanded that the men confined 
in the garrison be surrendered to him. Though refused, 
Col. Lamar evidently considered the fort too strong for 
his small force to storm. In order to carry these men to 
Savannah for trial it was necessary to pass through the 
portion of the state bitterly hostile to the federal author¬ 
ity and it was expected any attempt to carry them there 
would be the signal for a battle between the militia and 
the federal detachments. However, in the face of these 
threats, Col. Gaither sent Captain Webb with forty-eight 
dragoons and the four prisoners were delivered safely at 
the Savannah jail. (Letters of B. Hawkins, 460, 463.) 


Chapter XVII 


THE TREATY OF FORT WILKINSON 

T O the Georgians penned within the narrow confines 
east of the Oconee the failure of the treaty makers at 
Colerain to obtain additional cessions of territory was 
a most serious matter. The population was increasing 
tremendously, yet there was no increase in land. 

To the Indians, likewise, who were accustomed to live 
by hunting and fishing a cession of their hunting grounds 
was a serious matter. Following the Treaty of Colerain, 
Benjamin Hawkins, as Agent having been instructed to 
approach the Indians on the subject reported that so 
bitterly opposed were the Indians to any further cession 
that one had to be high in their confidence to mention 
such a subject to them without being openly insulted. 

Hawkins, however, set about preparing the Indian 
mind, by indirect methods for a cession. First, he suc¬ 
ceeded in convincing them he was sincere in his efforts 
towards helping them. Next he began introducing a plan 
of civilization suitable to the Indians psychology and mode 
of living. He taught them gradually to use plows and 
cultivate larger crops and to substitute the raising of 
cows and hogs for a living rather than depend on hunt¬ 
ing. Less land was thus needed by those Indians who would 
adopt his plans, and they slowly became reconciled to 
the idea of selling a portion. 

The treaty with Spain in 1795, which bound that power 
to refrain from interfering with the relations of this gov¬ 
ernment with the Creeks and the removal of the Spanish 
garrisons from the lands claimed by Georgia, had a most 
wholesome effect on the Creeks. No longer supplied with 
guns, ammunition and supplies from that power, the 
Creeks became more and more dependent upon the Ameri- 
( 112 ) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


113 


can government for their stipends and trade. With the 
growth of civilization their wants were increasing and 
their annual stipends were insufficient to supply their 
needs. Debts at the trading post at Fort Wilkinson began 
to mount, and it was provided these debts should be de¬ 
ducted from the payments agreed upon by the federal 
government under the treaties of Colerain and New York. 
It was soon evident that the Creeks would have to sell a 
portion of their lands or lack many necessities. 

Following closely on the heels of the inauguration of 
Thomas Jefferson as President events leading to a cession 
of lands began to move rapidly forward. Milledge, Bald¬ 
win and Jackson, Commissioners from Georgia to treat 
with the United States on the Mississippi Territory ques¬ 
tion, having solved the Yazoo problem and bound the 
American government by a covenant to extinguish the 
Indian claims to their lands in Georgia, Benjamin Hawk¬ 
ins, Andrew Pickens and General James Wilkinson were 
appointed Commissioners to represent the American gov¬ 
ernment in a treaty to be held with the Indians at Fort 
Wilkinson in May, 1802. 

The summons were sent to the chieftains of all the 
tribes to meet the Commissioners at that time. Not know¬ 
ing what would be demanded of them at this meeting the 
chiefs were grealy agitated and continuously for months 
prior to the meeting importuned Hawkins to give them 
information on the matter, but apparently he only whetted 
their curiosity and upon every opportunity suggested the 
advisability of their selling some of their lands in order 
to pay their debts and supply their wants. 

In the meantime it would seem that the British were 
resuming their interference with the Creeks, inasmuch 
as at this very opportune time we find Bowles returning 
from England, and stirring up more trouble among the 
Seminole towns in opposition to the proposed treaty. Land¬ 
ing a shipload of goods which had been received from the 


114 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Bahamas, the wily Bowles attempted to break up the Fort 
Wilkinson conference by inviting the Creeks to come 
down and share in the gifts which the British had sent. 
But the power of Bowles over the main body of Creeks 
was insufficient to lure them all away, although he did 
induce a number of towns to stay with him, conspicuous 
among which was the old Oconee tribe now the nucleus 
of the Seminoles. In addition to this, many other partizans 
of Bowles scattered throughout the Creek nation, dis¬ 
seminated false rumors concerning the treaty and induced 
all they could to go towards St. Marks near where Bowles 
was. Thus there was a strong minority element among the 
Creeks which very likely had its effect in making the 
Chiefs at Fort Wilkinson cautious in selling lands. (Let¬ 
ters Benjamin Hawkins, 414, 415, 417, 418, 421.) 

Great preparations were now going on at Fort Wilkin¬ 
son for the entertainment of the Indians. So great a quan¬ 
tity of food was necessary that the country, in the vi¬ 
cinity could not supply it and runners were sent to the 
stock raisers among the Indians for beef. 

Early in May the Indians began to arrive, and pitched 
their camp two or three miles from Fort Wilkinson. Each 
day their numbers were augmented as more and more 
arrived until an excellent representation from the nation 
was on hand, thirty-two towns being represented. 

The Commisisoners deeming it advisable to be as near 
the Indians at all times, as possible, moved out and en¬ 
camped with them. 

Unavoidable delays occurring which prevented an im¬ 
mediate entering into the treaty, the Indians began to 
grow impatient, and to insist that the Commissioners 
distribute presents among them. Rumors arrived that 
Bowles with his Seminoles and other adherents was at¬ 
tacking the Spaniards in Florida and plundering them. To 
add to the troubles of the Commissioners, an Indian in the 
camp while having a difficulty with a negro slave, was 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


115 


set upon by the negro’s owner. Being hard pressed in 
fighting both, the Indian drew a knife and stabbed the 
white man in the leg, and then turning fled to the Indian 
country. Some white men seized the opportunity to steal 
a number of the Indians’ horses. In spite of all this the 
Indians remained peaceful, and did not make any raids 
upon the frontiers. 

The commissioners realized that one of the most im¬ 
portant cessions of land to insist on was that west of the 
Oconee. It was soon evident, that the Indians would re¬ 
fuse to cede all the lands to the Ocmulgee, but if the set¬ 
tlers once were allowed to cross the river, even for a nar¬ 
row strip of land the psychological effect would make it 
easier to obtain further cessions later. Thus the Commis¬ 
sioners began bending their energies toward obtaining as 
much land here as possible. 

Upon approaching the chiefs on the subject of selling 
that part of the lands which was later to be Wilkinson 
County, they urged that this be not insisted on as these 
lands belonged to the Seminoles or Oconees below the 
Rock Landing, and that if this land was sold the Semi¬ 
noles in revenge would attack the frontiers and thus in¬ 
volve the whole Creek nation in war with the Americans 
(I. A. p. 670). 

The Commissioners “had to combat, not only the jealou¬ 
sies, distrusts, and fears, natural to the Indians, but, also, 
an apprehension, serious and alarming to the old chiefs, 
that, if they ceded any part of their country, their young 
warriors might resist it, and, joining the partizans of 
Bowles, divide the nation, wrest the government from 
those who at present administer it, and, by some hasty 
and imprudent act, involve their country in ruin.” (I. 
A. p. 680.) 

Efau ITaujo, the Mad Dog of the Tuckabatches, had 
been elected chief speaker for the Indians. He had served 
under the great McGillivray and had imbibed from him 


116 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


a knowledge and a skill in the art of diplomacy, seldom 
found at that time in the full blooded Indian. He knew 
the great need of the white man for more land and care¬ 
fully estimated the lengths the Commissioners would go 
in order to obtain even a small cession on the west side 
of the Oconee. He knew the value of the lands the Indians 
were ceding and he demanded full value. He knew the 
stock would graze on the remainder of the Indian lands 
to the Ocmulgee; he put all this in the bill—and got his 
demands. A careful reading of the talks of this great chief¬ 
tain convinces one that the American Commissioners were 
not dealing with an ignorant savage but with a man who 
could hold his own in the game of making treaties, and that 
the Creeks could not have selected a better leader to pro¬ 
tect their rights. One gets the impression from his talks 
that although he was speaking to the Commissioners, he 
knew his words which had been reduced to writing would 
be read by President Jefferson, and that he was making 
use of this opportunity to let Jefferson know of the con¬ 
dition of the Creeks. 

The Creeks first had determined on selling merely the 
small scope of land lying between the Indian path leading 
from the Rock Landing to the Crossing of Commissioner 
Creek, thence northward to the High Shoals on the Apa- 
lachy. Although having been served with notice that the 
Creeks present disclaimed title to the lands below the 
Rock Landing, however, when General Wilkinson rose 
to reply to the talks of Efau Haujo he insisted on the 
Indians selling all the lands lying east of the Ocmulgee 
and also the Talassee country but said if they could not 
spare all this to sell them all the land from the mouth of 
Commissioner Creek up the Creek and on to the High 
Shoals of the Apalachy, at the same time referring to the 
needs of the Indians for the additional money and goods 
which would be paid them. 

General Wilkinson further referred to the rebellious 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


117 


Seminoles as opposing the will of the Creek nation and 
uniting with the imposter Bowles, stating that they had 
been invited to attend this meeting but had refused to 
come. He deftly insinuated to the Chiefs that their au- 
hority had been flaunted by the Seminoles, and urged them 
as rulers of the land to assert their mastery promising 
them that should the adherents of Bowles make trouble, 
the American army would go to the aid of the Creeks. 

It was perhaps due to this speech of General Wilkin¬ 
son that the Indians at this time were induced to sell the 
lands which belonged to the Oconees and, in all probability, 
this was one reason why the Legislature later named the 
county which comprised these lands, Wilkinson. Suffice 
to say after a short conference following Wilkinson’s 
speech, the Coweta and Cussetah Chiefs informed the 
Commissioners they would sell more lands than they first 
intended, and as set forth in the treaty. 

The treaty having been concluded Efau Haujo sent a 
peremptory order to the Seminoles that they immediately 
cease their rebellious attitude towards the other Creeks 
and their warfare against the Spaniards, threatening them 
with punishment unless they altered their course. He 
demanded that they write him at once what they meant 
to do. A white man, Burges, the interpreter among the 
Seminoles at the time, had fallen into disrepute lately. 
The latter part of his letter commanded Burges to in¬ 
terpret the letter straight. 

Mooklausau Hopoie, another Chieftain, seems to have 
had no faith in any answer of the Seminoles, so he sent 
two men “to watch the eyes of the Seminoles, their tongues 
and lips and every feature of their countenance whilst they 
are speaking.” 

Thus a portion of the lands of Wilkinson county was 
now obtained at the expense of the Oconees, the rightful 
owners; trouble was expected to result from this sale with 
the Creeks and by the whites. With a leader such as 


118 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Bowles to spur them on and with a number of towns allied 
with them it would be but natural for the war cry of the 
Oconees to be heard again on the waters of the Oconee. 
Likewise, a Civil war among the Indians was a strong pos¬ 
sibility. The surveying and cutting out of the Indian boun¬ 
dary lines usually was the scene of trouble, and the new 
boundary line through the county had to be marked out, 
the custom being to cut down all trees along the route 
thirty feet wide. 

Bowles did not wait for the treaty at Fort Wilkinson 
to be completed before starting his campaign. 

While a large number of the Creeks were still at Fort 
Wilkinson treating with the Commissioners for the sale 
of the lands, Bowles was calling together his henchmen 
to meet him in Council at Estesunalga, and had resolutions 
passed denouncing in the bitterest terms the actions of 
the Commissioners in treating with the Creeks. A copy 
of the resolutions written in Bowles’ handwriting was 
sent to the Commissioners: 

“To the Commissioners of the U. S’. at Ft. Wilkinson, on the 
Oconee: 

“Gentlemen:— 

“We, the legal and constitutional head men of the Muscogee Na¬ 
tion, called by you the Creeks, hearing thac you had invited a number 
of men to the Fort on the Oconee promising them presents, in order 
to induce them to go; and having long experienced the evil tendency 
of such meetings, where you have exhibited long instruments of 
writing, that could neither be explained by you nor understood by 
those of our people present; yet you have by means, best known 
to yourselves, procured thereto, a long string of names, giving the 
appearance of a national authority and sanction to instruments of 
writing, as agreements made between us, and held them out to the 
world as such, while we never knew or understood anything of the 
business. 

“Having observed at this time, that our people have been pro¬ 
miscuously invited to the Oconee, and promised large presents, 
rather more mysterious than on former occasions. We think it a 
duty we ow° to our county to put a stop to such practices, which 
tend only to create disturbance between us, that may terminate in 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


119 


a war, the which we do not wish. Therefore, we being now met in 
Council, do determine and declare, that this Nation is not, nor 
cannot be bound by any such talk or agreement so made. That no 
act whatever is legal unless done in Full Council of the Nation, at 
a place previously appointed and agreed on by the head men for 
such meeting; and according to the laws of our confederation with 
our brothers, the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Chactaws, no lands 
can be ceded except by agreement of the Chiefs of the Confedera¬ 
tion in Council met. 

“We are now engaged in a war with the Spaniards in defense 
of our rights, our lands and everything dear to us; and we shall 
defend ourselves against all peoples, who shall attempt to usurp 
or make encroachments on us. 

“We wish you Americans to be honest, lay aside your schemes 
of land speculations, and be good neighbors, we promise to be so 
with you. Let us have peace and a free trade between us, which 
alone can be mutually beneficial. 

“We are ready to form a treaty with you and regulate all matters 
between us, so that fair limits may be set, and a criterion fixed by 
which to regulate the conduct of our respective people. But such 
transactions must be National Acts and not done by people who 
go to the Oconee in order to have a drunken frolic. 

“Done in Council at Estesunalga. 

“This 4th day of June, 1802, being present the chief and head 
men, as follows: Pnethla Mekko, Tallegisko Mekko, Hallato 
Mekko, Tussakia Mekko, Chehane Mekko, Hallato Mekko. 

“With the representatives of sixteen towns and presenced by us 
the Director General of Muscogee. 

“Wm. A. Bowles/' 

“The foregoing letter being read in full Council of the Nation, 
at the Parrackockla Town, the 2nd March and again, agreeable to 
adjournment, at the Tuckseesaile, the 18 March, where it was 
unanimously approved of, and passed into a resolve: 

“And whereas some attempts have been made to interrupt the 
trade between the State of Georgia and this nation, the following 
resolves among others were entered into and passed into law: 

“1. Resolved , That from this day forth any person who shall take 
part with our enemies and act any way against us, shall suffer death. 


120 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


“2. Resolved That our trade shall be free to all people not at war 
with us subject only to the laws made by us in Council; and that 
the papers circulated by Benjamin Hawkins are of no effect and 
not made with our knowledge or consent. 

“Ordered that our resolves be made public.” 

(The Augusta Chronicle and Gazette of the State, 
June 25, 1803.) 

CEREMONIES OF THE INDIANS AND TALKS DELIVERED 
BY EFAU HAUJO, THE MAD DOG OF THE TUCKABACHES, 
CHIEF SPEAKER OF THE CREEKS AT THE 
TREATY OF FORT WILKINSON 

'T'HE chiefs sent to inform the commissioners that, on the next 
day, they wished to receive them, according to the ancient cus¬ 
toms of their country, at the public square; and they requested the 
commissioners to be ready to move from their encampment early in 
the morning, and as soon as the runners arrived, to inform them 
that every thing was ready for their reception. 

MAY 24.—The commissioners went to the square, and were 
seated, with all their attendants. The chiefs of the Upper and 
Lower towns having met at some distance from them, moved on in 
a body; two men in front, dancing the eagle tail dance, to music, ac¬ 
companied by the voices of all men and women. As soon as they ar¬ 
rived at the square, the commissioners moved to a place prepared 
for them, when they were touched by the wings in the hands of the 
dancers; behind General Wilkinson was a small pit, and a white 
staff standing by it; they brought a bow and arrows, painted red, 
showed them to the commissioners, then broke them, put them into 
the pit, covered them with earth, and with a white deer skin; three 
great chiefs, representing the Upper and Lower towns, wiped the 
faces of the commissioners with white deer skin, spread the skins 
on a log, and they sat them down. General Wilkinson was directed 
to put his foot on the skin covering the pit. With three other skins 
they covered the commissioners, and after the embrace of friend¬ 
ship, Efau Haujo addressed them as follows: 

We, this day a fine one for the occasion a clear sun and sky, meet 
our friends, brothers, and fathers to take them by the hand, accord¬ 
ing to the customs of our forefathers, as old as time itself. We have 
at the foot of the General, buried the sharp weapons of war, which 
were in use in old times, and such as we have; our white deer skins 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


121 


we place on the seat of our friends, and cover them with the same: 
we add one other emblem, a pipe. 

The advice of our father, Washington, we have taken; we remem¬ 
ber it, and this day we renew it. I am happy we meet in our own 
land, under the shades of our own trees, fanned with our own air, 
with straight hearts. Some time since, our father Washington left 
us, and is buried. The advice he gave was good for us; we see it, and 
know it: his successor followed his example, and the now great 
man comes with like assurances; they are brought us by their great 
General and beloved men. Oconee’s waters are divided; one-half 
was given to the whites; thence, from its source, over the Currahee 
mountain, to the other nation’s lines. When the old President Wash¬ 
ington sent commissioners to the chiefs of the Creeks, he said, when 
that line was run it should be fixed and permanent. 

I am speaking for my young kings, warriors, and my nation, to 
the commissioners, that all may know we wish them well. I have a 
white staff now in my hand, for the new great General, which I will 
plant; it will grow and have a shade, fanned with cool breezes. 
When this tree is put there to grow, it will have a shade for our 
friends quite round to the Mississippi. I have but a short talk today, 
and I deliver with it the tree to the commissioners. 

You three gentlemen saw me when I was in my own land. You 
saw me here; you told me that the great man to the Northward 
gave you great talks, and you have given them to us. I mentioned 
when I saw you, that I was old, but nevertheless, we would talk 
over old things together. I was told by your beloved men, that the 
talk you have given us was straight, and that, before we parted, 
everything would be straight on both sides. According to what has 
passed between us about the business, we have come forward, and 
today I am going to talk about the same. I was told, that when all 
things were made straight, it would be to the happiness and tend to 
prolong the safety of the red people. I wish to give a talk, that will 
be the means of putting it in power of being friends with all my red 
people, and the white people. 

I address myself to the gentlemen appointed to speak to us, to let 
them know our poverty and distress; and I hope they will think what 
I do will be right and acceptable. I have been talked to a great deal 
before I could lift up my head, but now I can lift up my head and 
look up. The thing that was asked us to part with, was like asking 
us to cut ourselves in two, and take one half one way, and the other 
half the other way. I was told by the great men, who were appointed 
to bring us the talk of the great man, that they hoped we would not 
throw his talk away; and I hope they will consider that we have not 


122 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


thrown his talk away. You see my situation; I am poor, and I con¬ 
sider that I have made myself very poor in complying; yet I have 
considered it, and I have done it. I saw the great complaints which 
hang over our land; they have been laid before us; we have consid¬ 
ered them as they are. Upon the talk you gave us, we have consid¬ 
ered much; it was some time before I could make up my mind upon 
it, but I have weighed it well, and am now going to give my mind 
upon it. When a man has a child, he considers him, and is not will¬ 
ing to distress him and make him poor. I hope what we do, though 
it is not as much as was required and expected, yet it will be 
thought sufficient. I hope it will be considered as it is; and that, al¬ 
though it is not what was asked, yet it will suffice for the present 
demands. We now give on paper (delivering the map) what we 
mean and intend; it is a map of the country we cede. 

The Oconee is a large river, half was ours; it was a stopping 
place; but we see cattle is over, and will be over; and if they were 
on Ocmulgee, the cattle would be over, and being near to the In¬ 
dians, there would be no chance of preserving peace between them 
and their friends. I hope it will be considered it is not right to make 
us too poor, and that it will not be thought hard that we parted 
with no more; we can lie down and enjoy what we have; although 
it is but little, we may rest on it. I have been told our people are 
very mad; it is so, they are so; but we are not the only mad people; 
the white people, they come over, hunt on our lands, some with fire 
and with firearms; and the cattle they are over, and have eaten all 
the food of our black game (the bear). We were told that people 
were set to prevent it, and to protect our rights, but they cannot 
prevent these things; they are over, and we see they cannot be pre¬ 
vented. The President of the United States, who sent these talks, 
we hope and expect, gave you full powers, and that you will, as for¬ 
merly, endeavor to put things in force, to prevent these things, be¬ 
fore there is an end of our business. What I speak in time for, is, I 
see when there was a river, people could not be restrained; and now, 
when there is no water boundary, they will perhaps act as they have 
done; they have stopped our creeks with fish traps, and also our 
part of the river; they cut cedar on the Ocmulgee, and at other 
places. The fish at Ocmulgee, and terrapins, are ours, and we wish 
they may remain to our use. 

Why I say so much on this subject is, that I know the past, and I 
wish to begin in time, to prevent the consequences which I appre¬ 
hend. I speak, that the whites, and Indians may equally take pains, 
in a gentle manner, and by gentle means, in time, to preserve good 
neighborhood, and that they will exert themselves to that end. I con- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


123 


sider it in this light, that the heads of the white people, who can 
govern their people, should take the necessary precautions on their 
part, to keep their young people in bounds, and we will do the same 
on our part, as well as we can. When Oconee was made the line, the 
ri^ver was the bounds for stock; we were told, in Mr. Seagrove’s 
time, if hunters came over, we might take their guns; if trappers 
came, we might take their traps; and if cattle came over, we might 
drive them off. We have not done these things; we wished to be in 
peace and friendship with our neighbors, and therefore we have not 
done these things; and we have submitted to the loss of our grass 
and game, to be in peace with our friends. This is not all. It is not 
here only, but on Cumberland; they have large dogs and horses, and 
they come out there, and hunt for, or drive off the bear, before our 
hunters get there. Our faults were mentioned; we must mention 
our complaints against our neighbors. 

I give this warning before hand, because I know cattle and horses 
know not lines, and will go after grass. When a man goes after his 
horse or cow, let him take a bridle and go after him, if it is on our 
land, but he must go without a gun; I hear that here, where the 
lines are known, the people come over a day’s walk from the line to 
good food, and there give salt to their stock; they also take out 
their hogs with corn, and leave them in every part on our borders. 
By carrying their stock out so far, they accustom them to going 
still farther, and they get lost, and when they are lost, the Indians 
are blamed for it; sometimes they have seen horses out for ten 
months as strays, and the Indians are accused, and charged with 
stealing them. I wish that the white people would keep their stock 
as much as possible on their own side, and endeavor to induce them 
to stay on their own side. If cattle go over the line, we wish that 
they may be returned in peace; horses, hogs, and everything, may 
be returned in like manner. There must be many white people un¬ 
known to us, who have stock among us; when they come after it we 
wish to assist them in getting it back, and will direct them by signs 
and other ways to get their property, if they cannot talk our 
language. 

This day is appointed to consider our distressed situation, and to 
remove all difficulties; this day the land under us we have given up, 
the trees around us, the water, fine for mills, and good land, and a 
great deal of it. The good that will arise from the land will have no 
end; in the summer there will be the grass for stock, and other 
things in the winter; I consider these things, and I have given them 
up. The way of the red is this: they are a poor people; if there be 
any oak trees, they get the acorns from them, and from hickory 


124 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


trees they get hickory nuts, and the blackberries in their season. I 
address myself to Colonel Hawkins, and I find the white people do 
the same; they suppose you favor the red people, but we believe you 
hide nothing from either side, and you are the friend of both. When 
people buy or sell, or bargain for anything, they take care to under¬ 
stand each other rightly, before they put a price on it; I think that 
a hundred measures of land (acres) should be two hundred dollars; 
there are a great many charges against us by the white people; 
they do not spare in their charges for things that are not lasting, 
and therefore, we ask a price for that which is lasting. You will 
consider the debts we owe, and fix them, and first pay them; then 
what remains, to be paid us, as our annuity. It may be thought that 
I ask a great price for land, but I know that hogs, cattle, and horses, 
know not bounds, and they will eat our grass to Ocmulgee, and we 
must set this value on our lands: I mention this business now, that 
you may hear it. It was the talk of the old President, that the mili¬ 
tary should be put down to protect them; they are now left behind, 
and we wish they may be brought forward, and posted at the corner 
where the line turns from the Indian country road out side. There 
is a greater opportunity now.than formerly, for wild people to 
transgress, and, of course, a greater necessity for the aid of the 
military. We have agreed that where the Apalachy path crosses the 
line, old Mr. Philips, his sons and families, shall have lands; it is 
to be outside of the lines now ceded, and Coweta and Cussetah will 
fix the place for them, and will point it out, and these people are to 
keep a store there for the red people. Perhaps you may want to run 
your line, now offered, immediately; if so, we will appoint four men 
from each town to run it with you; we mention this as perhaps you 
may think that man (meaning Bowles) may do something to pre¬ 
vent it. Here you may see the inconvenience from drinking, and we 
wish our young people may have no temptation to go among the 
white people for drink, but be confined to these trading places. 
We wish our stipend may be paid us in hard dollars; when we take 
it, we can divide it, and lay it out as we please. 

I turn to another subject: I am now going to speak about the 
lines of Tombigby; I want to know who the people are who live 
there that I may know who to address myself to for redress of the 
complaints there. The reason I ask is, I want to know who owns 
the land where the old British line is, that when I turn them over 
the line, I may know whether I can apply to the fort there for as¬ 
sistance; the people of Tombigby have put over their cattle in the 
fork on the Alabama hunting grounds, and they have gone a great 
way on our lands; I want them to be put back; the Indians begin to 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


125 


complain, and will soon begin to do mischief. We all know the 
owners of these cattle are Americans, on this side of the line of 
limits, and here it is that we mention it to the commissioners. 

I am a suiferer, and I expect it will be considered that I am one. 
I hope you will consider me so, and that you will not turn my talks 
aside, or consider them as trifling. My people are a poor people; and 
the reason I speak so much upon the subject is, because I wish you 
to consider us so. You have seen me, my country, and my people; and 
I hope the President may see my talks as they are delivered, that, 
in future, we may not be pressed upon. It must be considered in this 
way, that we have spared that which is necessary to us, and we have 
not enough for our own use. As we are the aboriginals in this land, 
we hope it will be considered that the land is ours; and this is the 
talk of all the chiefs present. The President, as you have told us, 
sent his talk, and it must be so; we receive it as such; we have gone 
as far as we well can; it is like splitting us in two, and giving away 
half of us; we do this, and we are in hopes, in future, we shall be 
safe. Now I lay down this line plain, that you may see, you are a 
great people; if any should come over and encroach upon our lands, 
they will trespass upon our rights, and violate our peace, and we 
are poor and unable to help ourselves; and we hope great people in 
authority will prevent these things, and save our lands. Here are 
the masters of the land; we are all together; we haye done this; 
and from this day forward, if any men should come among us after 
land, we shall look upon him as not coming from the President. I 
have now talked to the men from the President and if, in future, a 
man should come among us after land, we now declare we shall 
look upon him as not coming from the President; and I shall direct 
all my men to take notice of this accordingly. My request is to the 
commissioners now, that as the garrison has been useful heretofore, 
in stopping mischief makers, as was promised us, we wish they may 
be continued, and put down on our frontiers; and that there may be 
horsemen as well as foot, to repress the evil doings, as well of my 
own people, as the white people; to preserve peace when I am at 
home, and that in force, sufficient to keep the mischief makers 
within bounds. 

We have considered it so, that Philips and his friends must be put 
down, not on the land we have sold, but outside; it is a plan that we 
have got, that he and his friends may guard that quarter; he has 
been a great friend to our nation, and in consideration thereof, we 
have done this. Another thing I mention to you in this light, is, 
that there are people traveling with families, with negroes, and 
property of value; and I caution you, that my young men, when they 


126 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


see this, are tempted to injure them, and I am not able to prevent 
it; if so many go through as they do, scattering through all parts 
of the country, I am appraised that bad consequences will follow 
from it; let a path be found for them down the Tennessee. It is 
known that there is a path for people towards Natchez; all who go 
with families, should be directed to that path, to prevent a breach 
of the peace, and to preserve it. There is one way for travelers I 
have mentioned; there is another, round our country, by water, 
which is safe. I speak in this light; I do not love my land from 
people who are coming after cattle, horses, or hogs, or to trade with 
us, or single persons coming with papers on business; I confine my¬ 
self to families, and the crowds with their property; these I object 
to. I now take upon myself to speak to the Quakers; I have found 
that the tools they have sent us, as a token of their friendship, have 
been useful to us, and we are better able to judge now, than when 
we first received them, as we have tried them, and found them use¬ 
ful to us; and we hope they will send some more of them to us; they 
know what is useful, and we will be grateful for them. Micco Thl- 
ucco, of Cussetah, says he has tried them, and found them useful; 
his plough is worn out, and he is much in need of another; he un¬ 
derstood that, after experiment, if they were really found to be 
good, they might expect more; he has tried them, found them to be 
good, reports it as such, and asks for more. 

We considered to have Mr. Hill near us, for our accommodation, 
to attend our talks; and we know he must have cattle for his own 
use, and that of Colonel Hawkins, when he comes our way, or while 
he directs our talks. It has been judged proper to have him near 
the Tussekiah Micco, who can co-operate with him, in suppressing 
disorders. I hope you will consider the blacksmith is not to leave 
Mr. Hill, but to be put near him. One blacksmith is not sufficient; 
we want another for the Lower towns, and Tuskenehau Chapco, 
of Coweta, is pointed out to place and to protect him. 

Hopoie Micco wants another smith fixed in the fork of Alabama. 
I consider I have one, and therefore, I do not speak for myself; I 
hope he will remain where he is. 

Coweta Tuskenehau Chapco requests that a woman weaver may 
be placed with the smith, to teach their young women to weave, as 
they have already spun a good deal of cotton. 

Tussekiah Micco requests that a woman may be placed with Mr. 
Hill and the smith, to weave for his village; they are desirous of in¬ 
struction, and there are many women in his village. 

As for cropping, it was advised to pay attention to, and make it 
the fashion, to plant; as yet, we have a little hunting; it was what 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


127 


we have been brought up to; it is an old custom, we cannot lay it 
aside, and we must attend to that, too. Whenever our young people 
find a skin, if it be but one, we wish a place where we may carry it, 
and get something for it. The hunters they have liberty to work or 
hunt. We do not throw away cropping, stock, or weaving; we will 
attend to them all, and will attend, also to hunting; if we get a lit¬ 
tle by the latter, it will be something to add to our chance in the for¬ 
mer; if it be but little, it is something. The first day the Indian 
found a white man, they found a friend; and, although they had no 
interpreters, they found a way to trade, and to be useful to each 
other and we wish to preserve trade. There is another thing, the 
Cherokees have found a good price for raccoons, foxes, and wild 
cats; for large ones, they have a chalk (quarter of a dollar) and 
when they are small, they put two on each other. We find it not so 
among us, and we wish one price for these things could be found at 
the factories. Another thing they mention, is, what I have seen my¬ 
self, since I came here: the goods have risen in price; can it be that 
they are small things growing out of the ground, and as such, we 
purchased them when we came, and they have now grown larger, 
and a price accordingly appear on the same thing? 

I am now going to speak on another subject: the treaty at Cole¬ 
raine, some articles of which are not fulfilled. I am now going to 
make an effort to progress; I have not the power to lift up an arm 
against our neighboring towns; we consider that, after this treaty, 
when we go home, we shall try to put in force our warriors; there 
are a good many towns here present who speak upon it; there is no 
other way to fulfill the promise of the old treaty. There are but two 
keys: the United States have one, and a store, and Spain has the 
other now in Pensacola; these two keys must lock the doors, and 
be put in the pocket. I do not say how many months, or how many 
years, it can be done, and then for the door to be opened. It is to be 
left to me to order the door to be opened, as soon as we have done 
our business, by carrying the treaty into effect. If a white man, as 
factor or trader, should take any goods from the United States or 
Spain, to the nation, there must be a rule by which they are to be 
punished; and the regulation must be in force, till the nation gives 
satisfaction, in the cases complained of. We blame not the white 
people, we blame ourselves; and this is to remain a law, until the 
nation complies with hei‘ treaty stipulations. When we have done 
this, the doors must be opened, and let trade take its course. This is 
a law we have now made, and it must be sent to the Cherokees, 
Chickasaws, and Choctaws, that they may know it. And it is our 
law that these nations shall not supply any goods to a Creek. Now, 


< 


128 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Cherokees, our brothers, some of our people are running to you for 
trade; you must put a stop to it, as well as the United States and 
Spain; the same we address to the Chickasaws and Choctaws. 

There is this proviso in our law: people in debt may go pay their 
debts, and if they have a balance due them, let them take money or 
due bills, and keep them till a regular trade is restored. This law is 
passed by our own chiefs; if injury is done any one, we are to feel 
the misery of it ourselves, from a want of trade. I think my talks 
have been extended as far as in my power, to preserve peace. I hope 
that you, Colonel Hawkins, will first put it in force, sending it to 
the agents of the other three nations, and assist us in carrying it 
into effect, and see to the execution of it, till our object is effected. 
As this is the finishing of the talk, I have to regret that our wo¬ 
men, with the hoes, are behind us; that they and their children are 
likely to have poverty and hunger for their lot. I consider all this, 
and it is my care; it presses heavily on my mind. I think I have done 
all in my power to save my land. I want, in three days, at farthest, 
to try to set out, that we may not entirely lose our crops, and all 
suffer with hunger. This is the end of my talk, and I hope it will be 
for the benefit of all, when we are dead and gone. 


Chapter XVIII 


DISSATISFACTION IN GEORGIA 

T^HE narrow strip of land along the Oconee acquired 
J- under this treaty was a most bitter disappointment to 
the Georgians who were expecting to obtain all the lands to 
the Ocmulgee. The most scorching criticism was heaped 
upon the three Commissioners for obtaining such a small 
cession. The Grand Jury of Wilkes County passed a reso¬ 
lution condemning it. 

So bitter became the denunciation by the Georgians that 
even General Wilkinson was made to feel the weight of it. 
After completing all the details of the treaty he went to 
Augusta, and although as the commander of all the Fed¬ 
eral troops in the South yet he was accorded a most cool 
reception. True to his character General Wilkinson was 
found passing the buck to the other two commissioners and 
blaming them for the failure to obtain the lands to the 
Ocmulgee. 

UNREST AMONG THE CREEKS 

Likewise in the Creek nation as the news of the cession 
was received, the storm of indignation burst in all its 
fury. It was an opportunity not to be neglected by Bowles 
to fan the flames of passion and prejudice of the Indians. 

Following the treaty of Fort Wilkinson the venerable 
Efau Haujo had abdicated as Chief Speaker of the Creek 
nation and Hopoi Micco had been chosen in his stead. 
Now he found his hands full in controlling the discordant 
elements of his dominions. 

Hawkins realized that a serious crisis was facing the 
Creek nation and that the most drastic action was neces¬ 
sary to save it from all the horrors of a civil war as well as 
the frontiers of Georgia from the massacres which had 

(129) 


130 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


prevailed only a few years previous. Bowles being the evil 
genius spurring on the refractory elements of the Creeks 
it was absolutely necessary that he be removed. In this 
he was aided by the Spaniards in Florida who had suffered 
so severely at Bowles’ hands. Already the Governor of 
Florida had offered a reward of $4,500.00 for Bowles’ 
capture, but the Indians had never seen fit to deliver him 
and claim the reward. Hawkins determined upon his cap¬ 
ture and delivery to the Spaniards. Collecting some of the 
Creek warriors in May, 1803, he succeeded by stratagem 
in capturing Bowles and turned him over to the Spaniards 
who sent him to Moro Castle. 

Although the Creek nation was thus rid of the main 
leader of those in opposition to the treaty, yet this element 
was exceedingly strong and the loss of their leader did 
not end the troubles. On the contrary it only the more 
enraged many of Bowles adherents at the manner in which 
Bowles had been taken. 

THE OOSEOOCHEE CONVENTION 

In May, 1803, Hawkins, Wilkinson and General Rob¬ 
ert Anderson were appointed Commissioners to bring 
about a new treaty with the Indians and purchase the lands 
to the Ocmulgee. 

A meeting of the Creeks was called in August of that 
year and was held at Ooseoochee, a town of the Lower 
Creeks especially friendly to Bowles. Hawkins and An¬ 
derson were the only Commissioners present, Wilkinson 
not arriving. 

From its very beginning it was evident that the meeting 
was doomed to end in failure. Though Bowles was a pris¬ 
oner in the hands of the Spaniards he had left able lieu¬ 
tenants to carry on his work, who felt outraged at the 
capture of their leader. By holding secret meetings be¬ 
forehand these friends of Bowles had a perfect organiza¬ 
tion, and had their plan of campaign completely mapped 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


131 


out. All the towns on the Flint River besides the Semi- 
noles had joined them. They now had the meeting in one 
of their own towns, thus having the advantage in their 
favor from this standpoint, and they took the precaution 
to pack the convention by having all the friends of Bowles 
on hand. The Chief Speaker of the nation, Hopoie Micco 
and the other chiefs favorable to the treaty of Fort Wil¬ 
kinson had been kept in the dark concerning the plans of 
the opposition and their towns were not so well repre¬ 
sented. Although the Chief Speaker of the whole Creek 
nation was present, the rebellious element elected a speaker 
to represent them, and to the utter astonishment of the 
other Indians, from the very beginning steam-rollered the 
convention. They refused to ratify the treaty of Fort 
Wilkinson, and when the money due the various towns 
under the treaty was offered them, refused to accept it, 
at the same time serving notice that they would prevent 
the marking of the Indian Boundary lines. The most bit¬ 
ter denunciations were heaped upon all who had taken 
part in the treaty, even President Jefferson was charged 
with cunning and duplicity, and the Commissioners in¬ 
sulted. 

Bowles had convinced his adherents that war between 
England and France would soon draw the United States 
into it, and that the British would return, bringing with 
them the rich gifts with which they had in former years 
been accustomed to supply their red allies. Some one had 
spread the rumor among them that one of the motives 
of the meeting was to invite the aid of the Creeks as allies 
on the side of the Americans. 

However, after two days, Hopoie Micco, Chief Speak¬ 
er, and the other chieftains of the Upper Creeks, having 
recovered from their discomfiture at the tactics of the 
opposition, set to work and began to assert their authority 
in the convention. The debates now grew in warmth as the 
Indians argued pro and con the situation confronting 


132 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the Creek nation, and this was, perhaps,«one of the most 
hotly contested councils in the history of the Creeks. The 
Chief Speaker of the nation and the chiefs of the Upper 
Creeks agreed to accept the payments due under the treaty, 
but the opposition persistently refused to accept theirs and 
it was returned to the Commissioners. The supporters of 
Hopoie Micco having accepted their portion, now served 
notice on the others that the line should be marked and that 
the Upper Creeks would attend the markings and see that 
it was done. (Letter of General Anderson, Augusta Chron¬ 
icle, Sept. 24, 1803; Letters of B. Hawkins, p. 438.) 


Chapter XIX 


THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW LANDS 

I N the meantime necessary delays prevented the Geor¬ 
gia Legislature from acting in regard to the settling of 
the newly acquired lands. The Treaty had to be approved 
by President Jefferson before it could become valid. An¬ 
other was that it would be dangerous for the surveys to be 
made before the Indian Boundary Line should be marked. 
Thus it was in May, 1803, before the Legislature could 
pass an act authorizing the surveys of the lands, but on 
the nth of that month the bill became a law, providing 
for a line to be run from Fort Wilkinson southwest to 
the Indian Boundary line, and all the territory below that 
line and east of the Indian Boundary Line to be called 
Wilkinson County. 

The act further provided for the laying off of five land 
districts and numbering them from one to five. The lands 
lying in these districts to be surveyed into lots of two 
hundred, two and one-half acres each. 

Meanwhile the war-clouds continued to gather in the 
Indian nation as the attempts were being made to sur¬ 
vey and mark out the Indian Boundary Line. Threats 
to burn Hawkins’ establishment on the Flint river and 
to kill him were being openly made by the Indians. Chiefs 
friendly to the whites were threatened with the war stick. 

The hostility of the Bowles faction of the Indians hold¬ 
ing up the marking of the boundary line thus delayed the 
work of the surveyors for still another year, in the face 
of the impatient clamors of the people of Georgia. 

Finally in 1804, the duty of marking out the Indian 
Boundary line was consigned to the fiery David Adams 
of Hancock County. It is extremely probable that in se¬ 
lecting him to perform this dangerous job in the face of 

(133). 


134 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the Indian threats, the Georgia authorities took pains to 
choose a man whose past reputation would tend to dis¬ 
courage any molestation by the Indians to the running of 
the line. Suffice to say, he experienced no trouble. 

The act of 1803 also provided for the distribution of 
the lands by lottery. The narrow strip of land acquired 
was insufficient for the great masses of people who were 
desirous of moving into the new country, and it was pro¬ 
vided that after the surveys should be made, tickets should 
be provided, some having a lot number on them which 
lot should be the prize, others to be blank. Each free male 
white person, twenty-one years old and upwards, should 
have one draw: those having a wife or children, or a 
widow with orphan children should have two draws. 

THE RUSH OF SETTLERS 

With the treaty of Fort Wilkinson there came an in¬ 
flow of squatters, even before the lands were surveyed, 
and so great was the number that the Legislature took 
cognizance of the fact and passed laws prohibiting settlers 
from coming over until the drawing of lots took place. 
However, it seems that very few if any were ever prose¬ 
cuted for this infraction. Immediately after the lottery of 
1804, the real rush began, many pouring across the Indian 
Boundary Line into the Indian lands. Lucky drawers first 
had to locate their claims and we can picture them seeking 
out their lands. In all probability those who moved over 
first came on horse back with insufficient provisions for the 
trip but with the long-barreled flintlock rifle to kill such 
game as would be needed to supply his wants, and to pro¬ 
tect himself from outlaws. It was not necessary to bring 
food for his horse as the illimitable fields of wild oats sup¬ 
plied this necessity and all the pioneer had to do was to 
hobble his horse whenever he stopped for dinner or for 
the night. 

Upon reaching his lands, the pioneer’s first object 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


135 


was to find the most desirable spot for the building of his 
cabin. This was selected with several things in view. First 
and foremost the finest spring of water on the land usual¬ 
ly determined the location of the new home. This, of 
course, was to a certain extent qualified by the proximity 
to the trails, if any were near the particular lot. Here he 
built his one-room cabin. 

The cabin being finished the fields had to be cleared. 
This was not as big a job as it is today when one clears 
land. The annual burning of the woods by the Indians 
for ages past had kept much of the smaller shrubbery 
destroyed and it was mainly the larger pines that had to 
be contended with. These large pines were not cut down 
except for fence, but merely “deadened’-’ by cutting a ring 
around them and interfering with the flow of sap—pines 
that would today be worth fortunes. Later when these 
dead trees blew down the community log rollings came 
into use. With the clearing of the lands it became necessary 
to build fences to keep out the cows, wild and domestic 
hogs, deer, etc. Wire fencing was unknown and hence it 
became necessary to split rails. Easy-splitting yellow pines 
were then chosen and split into rails and the fences built. 
There are instances where such fences would last near half 
a century. 

Occasionally, wealthy slave owners moved into the 
county and in such cases the building of homes was not 
such an undertaking. In all probability, however, many 
of the very first settlers were men of small property, some 
adventurers, speculators, many squatters, and those who 
preferred to live as far away from their old haunts as 
possible for reasons best known to themselves. As the 
county rapidly filled up with the law-abiding classes, the 
undesirable elements drifted further on to newer and 
cheaper lands. 

Many lucky drawers of lots for one reason or another 
failed to settle on their lands immediately and later on 


136 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


when they got ready to settle found squatters living on 
and claiming the land. The law was very strict against these 
squatters and would force them to move when the real 
owner showed his titles. 

A lucky drawer of a desirable lot found it possible to 
sell out at a handsome profit immediately after he had built 
his cabin and cleared a few acres. This was often the case, 
where the lot was in a good location and the land was 
fertile, for the eyes of the wealthy slave-owners were turn¬ 
ing to this section. Besides this, lands to the South and 
Southwest which had not yet been settled could be bought 
cheaply. Later on when other Indian lands were open to 
settlement there was a general exodus to these cheap 
lands. 

The settler once located on his lot, making a bare liv¬ 
ing, was a comparatively easy job. The woods teemed 
with deer, turkey, squirrels, rabbits and other game. For 
clothing, his flocks of sheep and his cotton patches fur¬ 
nished his wife with the necessary materials and the spin¬ 
ning wheel, the loom and the knitting needles were the 
machinery necessary to turn it into clothing. However, 
this purchased no luxuries, and in the early days after the 
settlement few were known. Coffee and sugar were prac¬ 
tically unknown. Doctors were few and far between. Home 
remedies were largely relied on and in many cases charms 
and conjure doctors were resorted to, for this was a day 
when the belief in witches was widespread. The education 
of the children was of necessity neglected for as yet there 
w r ere no schools in Wilkinson. 

ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE MORE LANDS 

The confusion in the Indian nation during these years 
which prevented the running of the boundary line, as well 
as the expected cession of the lands to the Ocmulgee caused 
great perturbation in Georgia. Nearly two years had 
passed since the treaty of Fort Wilkinson, and still the 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


137 


Georgians were held back from the surveying of the lands. 
After the failure of the Commissioners appointed to treat 
at Ooseoochee, the people of Georgia were so insistent 
that Benjamin Hawkins was appointed as sole Commis¬ 
sioner by President Jefferson to make another attempt in 
May, 1804, at the National Council of the Creeks held 
at Tuckabatchee. General David Meriwether, General 
•John Clark and other prominent men had been appointed 
by the Georgians to represent the State at this council. 

Upon their arrival at Tuckabatchee a welcome was ex¬ 
tended them by the Upper Creeks. Hopohiclthle Mico, 
however, had succeeded to the leadership of the opposition 
and now remained away, with a great part of the nation. 
There being an insufficient number of Indians present to 
execute a treaty, the chiefs present determined to hold a 
council at Coweta town where none but Indians should 
be present and where matters should be fully discussed 
by them. Hawkins was later informed that never had the 
Indians had such a stormy meeting. At this meeting both 
factions were organized and the fragments of their dis¬ 
cussion as given in “The Letters of Benjamin Hawkins,” 
indicate the bitterness with which the debates were con¬ 
ducted. The question of a sale of the lands to the Ocmul- 
gee seems to have aroused the fury of the opposition. 
Hopoi Micco, Chief Speaker of the Nation, in his speech, 
declared the Ocmulgee should be made the line or he would 
die in the attempt. Tuskenehau Chapoco, one of the leaders 
of the opposition at once replied that if he made the Oc¬ 
mulgee the line, his life would be lost. 

Unable to reach any agreement, Hopoi Micco notified 
them all to meet him at Tuckabatchee within ten days to 
give an answer to Hawkins. All efforts to execute a treaty 
failed at this time but the Indians promised Hawkins and 
Meriwether that a deputation of them would go to Presi¬ 
dent Jefferson in the fall and discuss a treaty with him. 


138 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


HAWKINS TREATY IN 1804 

During the latter part of October of 1804, all the In¬ 
dian towns had elected representatives to go to the City 
of Washington to treat with President Jefferson. How¬ 
ever, due to the illness of Hopoi Micco and the death of 
some of the Indian delegates, it was necessary to postpone 
the journey to Washington. Hopoi Micco, although cov¬ 
ered with sores which made him unable to ride, walked all 
the way to the Creek Agency on the Flint to inform Haw¬ 
kins the reason why it was impossible for him to carry out 
his promise. The opposition chiefs also being present, as 
well as representatives from a large number of towns, 
Hawkins suggested that they enter into a discussion as to 
what would be accepted by the Indians for the lands east of 
the Ocmulgee. Hopoi Micco doubtful of its success con¬ 
sented to it as an experiment. Hawkins opened the discus¬ 
sion. No sooner had he done so than the leaders of the op¬ 
position began to talk against it and continued to oppose it 
for several days, with exceeding bitterness. 

Hopoi Micco during all this time was keeping in the 
background but seems to have had a most excellent knowl¬ 
edge of Indian psychology. The opposing leaders having 
fully expressed their views and talked until they were 
tired, he opened his talk by suggesting that the United 
States pay each Indian town the sum of five hundred dol¬ 
lars annually and to pay the debts of the Indians amount¬ 
ing to near one hundred thousand dollars. This was far in 
excess of the amount Hawkins had been authorized by 
the Secretary of War to pay for the lands but it was a price 
that appealed to the cupidity of the chiefs of the opposi¬ 
tion. Negotiations tending towards a treaty at this price 
were at once entered into, all the chieftains taking part. 
Hawkins’ final offer to them was two hundred thousand 
dollars, subject to the approval by the President. This 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


139 


offer was accepted by the Indians and the treaty was signed 
and forwarded to President Jefferson, who did not ratify 
it. 

TREATY OF WASHINGTON 

In the fall of 1805, a deputation from the Creek nation 
consisting of Oche Haujo, William McIntosh, Tuskene- 
hau Chapco, Tuskenchau, Encha Thlucco, and Checope- 
heke Emauthlau went with Hawkins to Washington to 
execute a treaty with the President. Dearborn was ap¬ 
pointed to treat with them and on the 14th of November, 

1805, the treaty was agreed upon and signed, the price 
paid being approximately what had been offered by Haw¬ 
kins, on an annuity basis, less interest, the Indians granting 
a right to a road through the nation in addition to the 
Ocmulgee lands. 

Hawkins at once wrote Governor Milledge of the fact 
that the chiefs had signed the treaty, the letter arriving 
on December 6th. The legislature was in session at the 
time and so important was the news to the people of Geor¬ 
gia that Governor Milledge delivered a special message 
to the legislature reading the letter which he had just 
received. Throughout Georgia the whole people were re¬ 
joicing as the news spread, that the lands which they had 
been seeking for fifteen years were now to be delivered 
to them. President Jefferson approved the treaty in June, 

1806, and the title of the Indians to all the lands passed 
into the hands of Georgia. 

No sooner had the official notice of the ratification of 
the treaty reached Georgia than the legislature passed 
an act by which the line from Fort Wilkinson running 
due southwest should continue until it touched the Oc¬ 
mulgee river and that all the territory below that line 
should be annexed to Wilkinson county. The act further 
provided for the surveying of the lots in the same manner 
as in the former cession, and also provided for the distribu- 


140 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


tion of the lands by lottery, but debarred those having 
drawn prizes in the former lottery from drawing in this. 

WILKINSON COUNTY SHOULD HAVE 
CONTAINED THE CAPITAL 

One can easily wonder why it was that Milledgeville 
was not located on the broad level lands lying between 
Little Black Creek on the south and Camp Creek on the 
north instead of its present location. It was the evident 
intention of two separate legislatures for the principal 
city that was to be built on these lands to be placed here. 
We first find in the act of the legislature of 1794, that two 
thousand acres of land opposite the Rock Landing should 
be set aside for a city. This act of the Legislature being in 
conflict with the Indian claims and causing federal pro¬ 
tests, became nugatory. 

However, after the treaty of Fort Wilkinson when 
the legal title to this land was in the State of Georgia, 
Commissioners were appointed by the legislature to select 
a site for Milledgeville, and they were instructed to select 
this at or near the head of navigation of the Oconee River. 
(Clayton’s Digest, 107.) For years the Rock Landing 
had been considered the head of navigation of the Oconee. 
Had the Commissioners followed the evident intention of 
the Legislature Millegeville would have been built several 
miles lower down the river. 

The mistake which was made in placing the city so far 
up the river was destined to cost Georgia many thousands 
of dollars annually for years to come as well as to limit 
the town’s growth. The overland routes to seacoast mar¬ 
kets in bad weather were too expensive for profitable 
trade. Navigable rivers offered the cheapest methods of 
transportation and those towns on such rivers rapidly out¬ 
stripped the inland towns. Every possible effort was made 
to make the Oconee navigable to Milledgeville. Thousands 
of dollars were appropriated by the State for this pur- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


141 


pose. Able-bodied men living along the river were re¬ 
quired to do work on the river in keeping it open. Part 
of the time it was kept open by slaves purchased by the 
State, an experiment which proved very unsatisfactory. 
The expense mounted and was the cause of much criticism 
as well as an investigation by the legislature. Small boats- 
managed to navigate the river but the cost of keeping the 
river open was prohibitive. 

Well might the site have been selected for Georgia’s 
capital near the site of the Old Oconee Indian Town; the 
site where McGillivary demonstrated his power to the 
American Commissioners: the site where David Adams 
stormed the Indian camp and then threatened to cross the 
river and storm Fort Fidius: the site from which Elijah 
Clarke started on his ill-fated Sans Culotte expedition 
and later the site of his Trans-Oconee metropolis. Surely 
no spot in Georgia is richer in history than this. 

FRAUDULENT SPECULATORS 

The need for more land was so great that speculators 
began to take advantage of the situation. Crossing the 
Indian Boundary Line they had surveyors to survey lots 
and begin selling them to the new settlers. Deeds are on 
record at the courthouse bearing dates of 1803, to lands 
which still belonged to the Indians. Such deeds were on 
their face void, and soon a reckoning was to be had at the 
expense of those who thought they were acquiring good 
titles, who built their homes in good faith, cleared their 
lands, and only later would be confronted by those who 
drew the lot in the lottery. An instance of this was that of 
William Davidson who purchased the lot now owned by Q. 
J. Butler, paid for it in full, receiving a deed for it, and 
years afterward a man rode up to his gate, showed the 
original grant, and demanded the land. However, taking 
info consideration the many improvements on the land, the 
claimant offered to accept a price for it based on what 


142 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


its value would have been had no improvements been 
made, which offer was accepted. 

THE FIRST WILKINSON COUNTY SCANDAL 

In the surveys of lots made in 1804, the lots being in 
perfect squares, it was necessary to have a large number 
of fractions of lots along the Old Indian Boundary Line 
and along the Oconee river, some of which were small, 
others large. These fractions of lots were not distributed 
by the lottery method but in December, 1805, the legisla¬ 
ture chose commissioners who were authorized to sell 
these fractions of lots to the highest bidders after adver¬ 
tising same in the gazettes. The sales were conducted in 
Milledgeville, but the commissioners seem to have had 
matters so arranged that buyers were discouraged from 
bidding and the lands were bought up by those acting as 
“fences” for the commissioners for a “song.” The secret 
soon leaked and a scandal, second only to the Yazoo Act 
resulted. An investigation was held which was sufficient 
to convince all of the fraud that had been committed. 

DEFENSE AGAINST THE INDIANS 

The disturbing situation in the Indian nation, and the 
growing dissatisfaction of the Bowles faction at the treaty 
of Fort Wilkinson with their continued threats of violence 
was sufficient to keep the frontiersmen of Wilkinson in a 
state of nervous apprehension. The memories of the ter¬ 
rible days of the recent past had not been forgotten. 

Until April, 1806, the only means of defense against 
the Indians were the garrison at Fort Wilkinson and the 
rifles of the settlers. No provision being made for the or¬ 
ganization of the militia, it was necessary for each com¬ 
munity to band themselves together for protection. Fam¬ 
ily tradition tells that the home of Major Elijah Hogan, 
whose plantation was near Pleasant Plains church and ad¬ 
jacent to the Old Indian Boundary Line, was the place 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


143 


where all the families of that section would gather when 
Indian alarms were given. 

The Act of 1805 authorizing the organization of the 
county taking into consideration the need of the county for 
protection provided for live companies of militia, directed 
the citizens to elect officers for the militia, and attached 
the militia of the county to the second brigade of the sec¬ 
ond division. Every able-bodied man between the ages of 
eighteen and forty-five was subject to military duty and 
their captains were required to muster them at least four 
times a year in their militia district for drill, and as often 
as the Colonel of the regiment should order. 

The Indians, however, seem not to have attacked any 
of the settlers. Occasionally some redskin with a sense of 
humor, knowing of the jumpy condition of the nerves of 
the settlers while their husbands would be away in the 
fields, would scare some of the women into fits. Tradition 
is handed down that one day while Mrs. Susan Smith, a 
sister of Elijah Hogan was busily spinning, she glanced 
out the door and to her horror, saw a big Indian warrior 
standing almost in reach of her, imitating the motions she 
was making in turning the spinning wheel. She let out a 
yell that alarmed the settlement and the Indian departed. 


Chapter XX 


THE CREATION OF A COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

A LTHOUGH the act of 1803 created the county of 
l Wilkinson yet no provision was made for a county or¬ 
ganization, the legislators evidently realizing that it would 
be some time before an organization would be necessary, 
and thinking that the remainder of the lands to the Oc- 
mulgee would be shortly acquired which would necessitate 
rearranging the county lines. However, the survey of 
1804 was made and still the Indians had not ceded the re¬ 
mainder. The county then consisted of the narrow strip 
lying below Fort Wilkinson, and east of the Old Indian 
Boundary Line which passes through the city limits of the 
town of Gordon, thence near White Springs, Bethel, and 
Pleasant Plains churches, touching Turkey Creek near 
Horace Adams, and on down the creek to its mouth below 
Dublin. 

The rapid rush of settlers to these lands made neces¬ 
sary some form of government. Without a sheriff, or oth¬ 
er civil officer to enforce the laws of Georgia, the pioneer 
settlers had to protect themselves. Outlaws, criminals who 
had escaped justice found this a refuge and by these as 
well as by the Indians the families were menaced. 

Finally, in December, 1805, the legislature passed an 
act providing for a county organization. The act named 
as Justices of the Inferior Court, Samuel Beckom, Wil¬ 
liam Randolph, Lewis Lanier, William O’Neal, and 
Thomas Gilbert. They were directed to select some cen¬ 
tral place in the county as the site for the holding of the 
superior and inferior courts and to meet there on the 1st 
day of April, 1806, to mark out five militia districts, and 
to nominate two justices of the peace for each militia dis¬ 
trict. They were also directed to fix a date for the holding 


(144) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


145 


of the first county election, to name the places where the 
voting should be held and to advertise same. 

By this act Wilkinson was placed in the Middle Dis¬ 
trict, or circuit of the superior court and court was held 
on the fourth Mondays of January and of June of each 
year. The Inferior court was fixed for the ist Mondays 
in June and November. 

Pursuant to instructions these Justices of the Inferior 
court met, and according to information given the author 
by Hon. J. W. Lindsey, the place chosen for the meeting 
and for the sitting of the courts was in the forks of the 
road just south of Ebenezer church, where the road lead¬ 
ing from Irwinton, intersects the Toomsboro-Dublin 
road. Provisions were made for the holding of the election 
and duly advertised. At this, the first election ever held 
by the voters of Wilkinson county, the following officers 
were elected: 

Sheriff—Edmund Hogan. 

Ordinary—Drury Gilbert. 

Clerk Superior Court—Archibald Mclntire. 

Clerk Inferior Court—William Brown. 

Surveyor—Britton McCullers. 

Coroner—Charles Ray. 

Senator—Robert Jackson. 

THE FIRST COURT 

Barely had the county officers of Wilkinson elected in 
1806 been commissioned than the act of June 26, 1806, 
extended the limits of the county to the Ocmulgee River. 
Wilkinson county now embraced all the lands lying in the 
forks of the Oconee and Ocmulgee below the line running 
from Fort Wilkinson, southwest to the Ocmulgee, a vast 
fertile territory exceeding in area many of the smaller 
nations of Europe. De Soto’s famed land of Ocute was 
now Wilkinson county. 

Although the jurisdiction of the county officials extend- 


146 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ed over all this county, and the continuous influx of squat¬ 
ters covered the lands to the Ocmulgee, yet all west of the 
Old Indian Boundary line was still unsurveyed, the title 
to them being in the state. Crimes committed in this vast 
expanse, or civil cases arising therein were tried at the 
court ground near Ebenezer church. The first Superior 
court appears to have been held here in January, 1807, by 
Benjamin Skrine, Judge, and Robert Walker, Solicitor- 
General. The first jurors and grand jurors were selected 
by the sheriff and clerk and the justices of the inferior 
court, and their names having been placed in a box were 
drawn by them for this term, they being authorized to do 
this by the legislature, June 26, 1806. No courthouse was 
built here, the home of the owner of this tract probably 
being used. 

The lottery of 1807 now brought in a deluge of bona 
fide owners of the lands. The treaty of Washington seems 
to have pacified the Indians and there was less to dread 
from them. The illimitable possibilities for the develop¬ 
ment of these fertile lands were enough to inspire the 
imagination of all adventurous spirits, besides all those 
who desired to amass fortunes. 

For those who desired adventure, there was the savage 
just across the Ocmulgee who was ever a menace to the 
Georgians; there was the Spaniard of Florida who was 
ever furnishing the red man with arms and ammunition 
and encouraging him to war against the Georgians; most 
of all was the agents of the British who were incessantly 
at work poisoning the minds of the Indians and arousing 
them to a religious fury against the Americans. Sooner or 
later a war must burst forth which would in all proba¬ 
bility involve the United States against both Spain and 
England, with the Indians uniting against the Americans. 
And when such time should come, Wilkinson county’s 
frontiers along the Ocmulgee in their exposed position 
must bear the brunt of their attacks. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


147 


But while there was that ever-present element of dan¬ 
ger, there were factors which irresistibly drew the settlers 
hither. Everyone realized that it was only a question of a 
few years until all the lands east of the Chattahoochee 
would be obtained. This territory must then be the very 
heart of Georgia, on the one side bounded by the navi¬ 
gable Oconee; on the other by the navigable Ocmulgee 
and through them and the Altamaha a direct route to the 
Atlantic seaboard, on which could be floated the great 
rafts of yellow pine timber, laden with cotton and other 
products; cities and towms must necessarily spring up in 
many places; lands which could now be purchased for a 
small price would doubtless soon command a much greater 
figure. 

Wealthy slave-owners attracted by the red lands so 
suitable for growing cotton, as well as to the transporta¬ 
tion facilities offered by the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers 
as arteries of commerce, soon poured into the new lands. 
Likewise, the lists of the early settlers contain large num¬ 
bers of the veterans of the Revolution. Many of the most 
prominent and influential men of Georgia found their way 
here, and helped settle the lands of this county. The plan 
of cultivation of lands in many of the older sections of the 
state had exhausted the fertility of the lands and there was 
a general exodus of those able to acquire lands here. Fre¬ 
quently large tracts were purchased and whole communi¬ 
ties would move and settle on them. There were instances 
where congregations w T ould follow their pastors here. 
Hence, Wilkinson county was largely settled by the cream 
of the citizens of Georgia, as well as of Virginia, North 
and South Carolina. 

THE CARVING OF WILKINSON INTO 
MORE COUNTIES 

The rapid rush of settlers into the new lands brought 
untold problems to the county officers whose duty it was 


248 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


to execute the laws. In order to attend the courts many 
citizens, especially the frontiersmen living along the Oc- 
mulgee below Fort Hawkins, were compelled to ride from 
forty to sixty miles. Such conditions were intolerable and 
during 1807, the Legislature was besieged with petitions 
and petitioners, asking the erection of new counties. 
Therefore, in December, 1807, the Legislature passed 
an act materially changing the lines and area of Wilkinson. 
Beginning on the Oconee at the mouth of Big Sandy Creek, 
the act provided for a line to be run south, sixty degrees 
west to the Ocmulgee, this being the present upper lines 
of Laurens, Bleckley and Pulaski counties. The territory 
above this line remained Wilkinson, and all below the 
line was carved into the counties of Laurens and Telfair. 
Changes were also made in the line running from Fort 
Wilkinson to the Ocmulgee. The new line began on the 
Ocmulgee at the lower corner of the Fort Hawkins reser¬ 
vation and ran north, fifty-six degrees east to Commis¬ 
sioner’s Creek along the boundary of Jones County. An¬ 
other change was made in the line separating Wilkinson 
County from Baldwin, in that a new line starting on Com¬ 
missioner Creek where the former line crossed, now ran 
north, sixty-five degrees east, thus taking part of Wil¬ 
kinson and adding it to Baldwin. (Clayton’s Digest, 359.) 

Wilkinson County then stretching from the Oconee to 
the Ocmulgee and comprising all the present territory of 
Wilkinson, Twiggs, and portions of Bibb and Baldwin 
counties was a county of enormous size. For a time, 
though, it was thought small enough for one county, and 
plans were made to this effect. The old court ground near 
Ebenezer church was now far from being a suitable place 
to hold court and the legislature fixed the new temporary 
site for the holding of the courts at the home of Willis An¬ 
derson, who was at the time the Sheriff of the county, and 
having prisoners in his charge his residence naturally was 
selected as the temporary place of holding court. (The 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


149 


author was informed by Mr. Ira S. King several years 
before his death that Willis Anderson lived a short dis¬ 
tance east of the present town of Jeffersonville.) 

WILKINSON CHANGED TO THE OCMULGEE 
CIRCUIT 

The increase in the number of counties lying between 
the Oconee and the Ocmulgee now required a new judicial 
circuit and the Ocmulgee circuit was thus created, with the 
following counties composing it: Wilkinson, Laurens, 
Telfair, Baldwin, Jones, Putnam, Greene, Morgan and 
Randolph (the latter’s name changed to Jasper, a few 
years later). The first judge of this circuit was Peter 
Early, and the first Solicitor-General was Bedney Franklin. 
The dates for holding the Superior court in Wilkinson 
were now changed to the 3rd Mondays in April and Oc¬ 
tober, and the Inferior court to the 4th Mondays in July 
and January. 


Chapter XXI 


SELECTING THE COUNTY SITE 

I N a resolution of December io, 1807, the duty of 
selecting a county site was imposed on the Justices of the 
Inferior court of the county. They w T ere directed to select 
the site as near the geographical center of the county as 
conveniences permitted, to purchase or accept the donation 
of four acres of land for the purpose of building the court¬ 
house and jail on; to cut the remainder up into lots and 
sell them after giving sixty days notice in the Augusta 
Chronicle and posting notices in three places of the county. 

The Justices of the Inferior court, however, 1 seems to 
have failed to act on the matter and on the 22nd day of 
December, 1808, the legislature appointed the following 
Commissioners to select a site for the public buildings: 
Arthur Fort, John Hays, William Bivin, Elkanah Loftin, 
and Jesse Brown. The act provided: “The seat of public 
buildings in the county of Wilkinson, so far as relates to 
the court house and jail shall be in the centre of said 
county, or such other place as may be adjudged most con¬ 
venient for the citizens thereof; provided the same be 
within two miles of such centre.” The act also provided 
that the Commissioners should purchase not less than one 
hundred and not more than two hundred, two and one- 
half acres of land for the use of the county and to let out 
the building of the court house and jail to the lowest bidder 
after giving thirty days public notice of their intentions. 

The act further provided that in the meantime while 
the building of the courthouse and jail was in progress 
the house of Willis Anderson should still be considered 
the temporary court house of the county. 

As a means of defraying the expense of the building of 
the court house and jail the act provided that the Inferior 

(150) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


151 


court should have the power to sell any part of the land 
purchased for the county site. (Clayton’s Digest, 482.) 

It would seem that with the foregoing instructions it 
would be an easy matter for the Commissioners to settle 
upon a spot for the county site. They did settle upon a 
site, same being lot No. 111 in the 26th district, it being 
located across the present county line a short distance west 
of Ball’s Church, the lands being purchased from Samuel 
Dick. No sooner had this spot been decided upon than 
there arose a storm of protest over the selection. Petitions 
were circulated addressed to the Legislature charging that 
the Commissioners had violated their instructions. So vio¬ 
lent became this storm that when the legislature met it 
felt that it was necessary to send surveyors to the scene 
of trouble and measure the distances from the four cor¬ 
ners of the county. The report of the surveyors was in 
favor of the Commissioners and the legislature approved 
of the spot selected, as being within the authority given by 
the act. And thus the work on the buildings began and 
was soon nearly completed. (House and Senate Journals. 
1808.) 

In the meantime, the disappointed element was not 
idle. Arthur Fort, one of the Commissioners, seems to 
have espoused the cause of those who opposed the es¬ 
tablishing of the county site at this place and ran for the 
legislature apparently on the platform of cutting the coun¬ 
ty in two. He was elected and immediately set to work to 
cut the county to carry this out. John Thomas Fairchilds 
was Senator from Wilkinson at this time, Wilkinson being 
entitled to one representative and one senator. No ob¬ 
jection seems to have been raised as to the division of the 
county and the act was passed providing that the line be¬ 
tween Wilkinson and Twiggs should begin where the 
“upper county line crosses the main south fork of Com¬ 
missioner Creek and thence on a straight line to the first 
branch which the present line crosses dividing Pulaski and 


152 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Wilkinson on a southwest direction from the corner that 
divides Laurens and Pulaski counties and lower line of 
Wilkinson.” Daniel Sturges was the Surveyor who ran 
this line. The act provided that Twiggs County should 
pay for having this line surveyed. It also provided that 
both counties should levy a tax for the payment of build¬ 
ing the now useless courthouse and other debts, the house 
to be sold for the mutual interest of each county, the lot 
of land purchased from Samuel Dick to be returned to 
him upon his paying back the consideration, and all the 
public records to remain in Wilkinson. (Clayton’s Digest, 
p. 567.) 

Not only was Fort bent upon cutting Wilkinson County 
in two but the same act when first passed by the House 
provided for the entire obliteration of the name of Wil¬ 
kinson, Gen. James B. Wilkinson in the meantime having 
fallen into disrepute by reason of his western intrigues. 
The Senate concurred in the changing the name of Wil¬ 
kinson but refused to agree to the new name submitted by 
the House, and in its stead submitted another. This, the 
House refused to agree to and a committee was appointed 
from each body. A great deal of time was lost in the re¬ 
peated wrangling. First one name was suggested and then 
another, none of which would suit. Among those sug¬ 
gested were “Marion,” “Emanuel,” etc. Finally, at the 
end of the session nothing had been agreed to. Otherwise 
we would not be “Wilkinson,” today. (House and Senate 
Journals, 1809.) 

The successive carvings of Wilkinson County were in 
a way necessary owing to its vast size and the numerous 
creek swamps which cut sections off from each other. 
When the part now composing Laurens, Bleckley, Pulaski, 
Dodge, Telfair, and Wheeler was cut off it was the con¬ 
census of opinion that the county site of the remaining ter¬ 
ritory would have to be located on the divide about mid¬ 
way between the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers. By so 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


153 


placing it the settlers living between the creeks could follow 
the old Indian trails and only have to cross the large water¬ 
courses at shallow points. Thus when the point was selected 
in 1809, on land lot No. 111, of the 27th district as the 
spot most accessible to the county as a whole, it would have 
been hard to find any place better adapted for such a large 
scope of territory. It must have been pretty well suited for 
Twiggs county as its present county site is now only five 
miles from the identical spot. It was far more easily acces¬ 
sible in bad weather to all points south of Big Sandy 
creek than was Irwinton on account of the hills and 
streams. Had it remained where it was first built all the 
territory north of Commissioner would doubtless have 
been added to Baldwin. And yet it is not surprising that 
this has been the case for all this section found it easier 
to reach Milledgeville than to reach Irwinton even after 
the cutting off of Twiggs, for Commissioner Creek be¬ 
comes a raging torrent when the heavy rains come. 

Upon the severing of Twiggs from this county, it be¬ 
came necessary for a new county site to be selected for 
Wilkinson. Thus on the 14th of December, 1809, the leg¬ 
islature appointed Stephen Johnson, John Eady, Sr., Elk- 
anah Lofton, Philip Pitman,! and William Crawley (or 
Cawley), as commissioners to fix a site for the public build¬ 
ings, to purchase for the county’s use not less than one 
hundred acres and not more than two hundred, two and 
one-half acres, to lay out what number of lots they may 
think proper and sell on twelve months credit, the proceeds 
of which to be used in the building of a court house and 
jail, any overplus to go to the county. (Clayton’s Digest, 
p. 566.) 

This body seems to have had much trouble agreeing 
upon a site and probably all resigned in a body for we find 
that no action had been taken in 1810. On December 15th, 
1810, the following Commissioners were appointed to 
carry out this duty: John Hatcher, Abram Lewis, Matthew 


154 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Carswell, William Stubbs, and John Horne, the act pro¬ 
viding that the place selected should be “within two miles 
of the most convenient place in the county for same.” 
(Clayton’s Digest, p. 623.) 

Information handed down to the author by Hon. John 
W. Lindsey, says the spot where the home of T. A. Brund- 
age now stands was used as the place of holding the courts 
and for other county purposes. 

In December, 1811, no action having been taken to 
make permanent the county site, the legislature passed the 
following act: 

An Act to make permanent the site of the public build¬ 
ings in the county of Wilkinson. 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep¬ 
resentatives, That the seat of the public buildings for the 
county of Wilkinson be, and the same is hereby declared 
to be permanently fixed upon tract or lot of land, number 
eighty-three, fourth district of Wilkinson County (pro¬ 
vided, good and sufficient titles can be procured for the 
same, within the term of six months from the passing of 
this act; the titles to be made and executed to the Inferior 
Court of said county and their successors in office, to and 
for the use of the county aforesaid, which said public site 
shall be called and known by the name of Irwinton. 

Sec. 2. That John Proctor, Robert Barnett, John 
Speight, John Ball and Daniel Hicks, be, and they are 
hereby appointed commissioners fully authorized to lay 
out and sell whatever number of lots they or a majority 
may think proper, in the following manner, to wit: one- 
fourth part of the purchase money payable in twelve 
months from the day of sale; one-fourth part payable in 
two years; one-fourth part, payable in three years, and 
the remaining fourth part in four years thereafter; and 
shall take notes from the purchasers with approved per¬ 
sonal security, made payable to the Inferior Court and 
their successors in office, as well as a mortgage on the prem- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


155 


ises, executed to said courts; and the money arising from 
the said sales is hereby appropriated to the building of a 
Court house and jail, under the direction of said com¬ 
missioners, who are hereby authorized and empowered 
to contract for the same, as soon as they or a majority of 
them may think proper, or deem it expedient, first giving 
thirty days public notice in one of the Milledgeville Ga¬ 
zettes, and at three or more public places in the county, 
which shall be let out to the lowest bidder at public outcry; 
the undertaker or undertakers shall be bound in a bond 
with approved security, in double the amount of the sum 
or sums undertaken for, to the Inferior Court and their 
successors in office, for a faithful compliance to such con¬ 
tract, entered into with the commissioners aforesaid. 

Sec. 3. That the said commissioners or a majority of 
them shall lay out and reserve one or two lots as they 
may think most proper in an eligible part of said site for 
the purpose of erecting a Court house and jail thereon, first 
strictly observing that in laying out the lots intended to fix 
the public buildings upon, or those to be sold for county 
purposes, they shall be so arranged as not to interfere with 
the lines or lands of any other tract or lot of land, except 
said lot, number eighty-three, or to be so near thereto as 
to require any part thereof to complete any lots ever con¬ 
templated to be laid out for county purposes. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That in case the said 
commissioners should fail to procure the titles to tract 
or lot number eighty-three, in the fourth district as afore¬ 
said, within the time allowed them by this act, then and 
in that case, they or a majority of them are fully authorized 
to purchase not less than one hundred acres, or more than 
two hundred two and a half acres, within two miles of the 
centre of said county, and proceed as before pointed out 
in all respects; and in all cases it shall be the duty of the 
Inferior Court of said county to give such aid to said com¬ 
missioners as may most facilitate the completion of the 


156 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


public buildings, or so far as they may have the power of 
public funds. 

Sec. 5. That the courts, elections and other county busi¬ 
ness shall be held at the house erected for that purpose, 
on the tract or lot number eighty-three in the 4th district 
as aforesaid, until the Court house is completed, and the 
same reported to the Inferior Court by the commissioners 
appointed to superintend the building of the same. (Acts 
1811, p. 123, Laws 1811-20 p. 191) December 16, 1811. 

We find this act was later amended by John T. Fair- 
child in the form of a resolution December 4, 1812, ap¬ 
pointing in addition to those already appointed in the act, 
William Wicker, William Lord, John Smith, and Charles 
Culpepper, with powers same as the other commissioners. 
(Laws 1811-20, p. 1119. House Journal, 1812.) 


Chapter XXII 


THE MILITIA ORGANIZED 

W ITH the extension of her lines to the Ocmulgee river, 
the filling up of the territory with new settlers, and 
the proximity of those living near the Ocmulgee to the 
Indian towns west of the Ocmulgee, there was the neces¬ 
sity for adequate protection. Bitter experience had taught 
the hardy frontiersmen that their best hope for protection 
was in their own well-trained yeomanry, for Washington 
City was too far away to depend upon in case of sudden 
emergencies and the band of federal troops located on 
the frontier was entirely too small. 

Thus, immediately, the militia districts were fixed and 
in each a w T ell-organized company of militia under the 
command of a captain solved the problems of defense. 
These companies were also organized into battalions and 
regiments. Once a year there was a muster day at the 
county site when every militia man was expected to lay 
down everything and attend, armed and equipped as if 
ready for active service. During the period that Twiggs 
county was a part of Wilkinson the old drill ground for 
the militia of the county to use on General Muster Day 
was near the present home of W. T. Chappell, in Twiggs 
county, a short distance from the old county site. Necessity 
compelled a rigid observance of the military laws for the 
lives of the families, the homes of Wilkinson depended 
upon her strong battalions. Hence, at these musters, the 
old drill ground was covered with companies of militia 
from each section of the county, with cavalry companies, 
with brilliantly uniformed officers. Stories of the old 
Muster Days have been handed down to the author by 
I. S. King, of the pride Wilkinson County took in her 
splendid military organizations, of the commanding ap- 


(157) 


158 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


pearance her officers would make in the parades on such 
days: how, after the drills were over, the indulgence in 
the beverages which were always dispensed on such oc¬ 
casions could always be depended on to produce a general 
hilarious condition among them: of the diversity of opin¬ 
ion that would arise as to the physical strength of the 
strong man of each company; the fights that would arise to 
determine who was the strongest man; which fights would 
sometimes spread among the sympathizers and a general 
civil war threaten. 

The growing seriousness of the international situation 
which was drawing America into war was fully realized in 
Wilkinson, and every precaution was being taken to pre¬ 
vent the recurrence of the terrible massacres of 1792-1793. 
The Colonel commanding the militia of the county was 
under orders that if Wilkinson County should be invaded 
by a hostile force he must first call out, instantly, every 
company of the whole county or as many as necessary to 
repel the enemy. Should he deem his own forces inade¬ 
quate to cope with the situation he must at once call upon 
the commanding officers of the adjoining counties for such 
aid as he might think necessary, and they were under or¬ 
ders to assemble their men and lead them against the 
enemy. 

Many of the men subject to military duty were not able 
to own a rifle such as would be needed in case of war com¬ 
ing on. Thus as the war-clouds continued to rise, the State 
of Georgia hastily purchased ten thousand stand of small 
arms, accoutrements, artillery and ammunition and had 
them distributed where needed. (Clayton, 363, 444.) 

Upon the severing of the territory of Twiggs county 
from Wilkinson, many changes were necessary to be made 
in regard to the militia. The annual musters were then 
held at or near Irwinton. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


159 


MILITIA DISTRICTS 

Immediately after Twiggs county was cut off, Wilkin¬ 
son consisted of eight militia districts. North of Commis¬ 
sioner there were two, 328 and 329. The 328th district 
corresponds to what is now 328 and 1505, the latter being 
cut off after the War Between the States. Bloodworth re¬ 
ceived its name from Captain Henry Bloodworth. The 
329th district in much of the earlier records is referred to 
as Fork district (from its being located in the fork formed 
by Commissioner Creek and the Oconee River, now known 
as Passmore in honor of Alexander Passmore a prominent 
planter. The territory lying between Big Sandy and Com¬ 
missioner Creeks was divided into three militia districts: 
327th, now known as Irwinton district; 330th now 
Lord’s; and 331st, Ramah; Irwinton District of course 
derived its name from the town of Irwinton; Ramah, from 
Ramah Church; and Lord’s, in honor of William Lord, 
Sr., the Revolutionary veteran and well-known Baptist 
who settled in this district, dying there several years 
later. The line separating Ramah and Irwinton has never 
been moved, except when Bethel district was formed. How¬ 
ever, the line separating 327 and 330 has been changed 
more than once. Originally, it is said on good authority, 
that the line crossed the Ball’s Ferry road in the bottom 
just beyond the home of T. A. Brundage, probably striking 
the stream on the west side of that road and following 
that branch to Big Sandy Creek. Later this was moved 
by the Inferior Court at least twice, once being on account 
of the citizens living in the upper section of Lord’s which 
was a “Fence Law” district, petitioning the County Com¬ 
missioners to change the line, so as to include them in Ir¬ 
winton district which was done. The territory south of 
Big Sandy was also divided into three militia districts, 
332, 352 and 353. The 332nd district is often referred 
to as Griffin district in honor of Captain Jonas Griffin 
who lived there. The 353rd or Turkey Creek district, of 


160 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


course, gets its name from the stream that runs through 
its central parts. It was a compartively easy matter to 
mark off these districts by streams, roads and an occasional 
land line, but when this was done there was left a long 
strip of territory. This was 352. Some called it “Frac¬ 
tions’ district on account of its being composed of so many 
fractions of land districts and fractions of land lots. 

It has also been often referred to in the earlier records 
as High Hill district and now goes by that name. It was 
aptly named High Hill, and we can easily picture the early 
settlers of this district naming it thus on account of the 
steep hillsides bordering on the creeks, from the Twiggs 
County line to the Griffin district line. The scenery along 
the roads of this district in a great many places give one 
the feeling of being on the top of a high hill. After the 
War Between the States there was a re-alignment of dis¬ 
tricts. Bethel was carved out of Irwinton and Ramah. 
The territory lying between Big Sandy and Porter’s Creek 
was joined to Irwinton district. 

THE MILITIA CAPTAINS 

The earlier records often cannot be well understood on 
account of their referring to certain militia districts under 
the name of the Captain who was then commanding the 
militia of that particular district. The only way it can be 
determined is by knowing what section the particular Cap¬ 
tain lived. Thus in 1812, there were eight militia districts, 
and they are referred to in the report of John Hatcher, 
Jr., R. T. P. in the following clipping of the Georgia 
Journal : 

Georgia Journal, Oct. 21, 1812. 

Agreeable to the returns made to me by the Captains, 
commanding the several company districts in the county of 
Wilkinson, the following is a list for the year eighteen 
hundred and twelve. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


161 


Capt. Kettles’ District (330) 

Reuben Kemp, William Holder, Robert Warren, Wiley 
Jones, Francis Williamson, Elijah Jones, Samuel Oliver. 

Capt. Gilbert’s District (329) 

John Dominy, Isham Payne, Jesse Gilbert, William 
Wright, Robert Saulter, Daniel Wise, Joseph Rye, James 
Taff, Wiley Ogletree. 

Capt. Holland’s District (353) 

William Slawter, John Gary, Jr., Sanders Colley, Pow- 
el Brown, Mark Brown. 

Capt. Johnston’s District (327) 

William Davis, William John, Hector Bowie, Ebenez- 
er Dunham, Wilson Williams, Adam Kimbrough, Thomas 
W. Mtichell, Colson Copeland, Jonas Mathis. 

Capt. Speight’s District (328) 

Moses Smith, Nelson Thompson, James Couie, Joshua 
Spears, John Brown, Frederick Lord. 

Capt. Burney’s District (352) 

John Turner, Jonathan Childs, Anthony See, James 
Dennard, Nathan Hudson, Jesse Dennard, Charles An¬ 
derson, Elisha Hogan. 

Capt. Russell's District (331) 

James Johnston, Samuel Brewer, James Richardson, 
Shadrach Adams, Jesse Sampford, William Darby. 

Capt. Wright’s District (353) 

William Oglesby, William Taylor, Clem Grizzle, Pres- 
ly Mathis, Alexander Adams, James Robinson, James 
Low, John Shepherd, Joel Miller, John Dixon. 

Oct. 13. John Hatcher, Jr., R. T. R. 

(The numbers in parenthesis indicate which Militia 
District is evidently indicated.) 


162 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


THE VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA SETTLERS 

The fame of the virgin fertility of the lands lying be¬ 
tween the Oconee and Ocmulgee had spread into the States 
to the North, and the climate, water, game and other re¬ 
sources made these lands very desirable. As was natural, 
owing to the proximity, the Carolinas and Virginia fur¬ 
nished the greater numbers, and such was the hegira from 
these States that there is hardly a descendant of any pio¬ 
neer family now living in the county but can claim descent 
from these settlers. The Carolinas furnished the great 
majority, but Virginia was well represented. Many had 
recently moved to the eastern counties of the State and 
lived there long enough to acquire citizenship and thus 
qualify to draw for a lot. 

Among these Virginians may be mentioned a settlement 
around the present site of Toomsboro, where it seems that 
there was an entire community which was composed of. 
Virginians and it is probable that Charles Culpepper and 
his brother, Sampson Culpepper, Joel Culpepper, John 
Ross, James Ross and others came in a body from that 
State and purchased lands near each other. 

The Virginians seemed to have formed one clan while 
the Carolinians seemed to have formed another in the 
earlier days. The Virginians prided themselves upon the 
blue blood and stressed the education of their children 
possibly more than the Carolinians and the native Geor¬ 
gians. The Virginians adhered to the Crawford, Troupe 
and succeeding parties, while the Carolinians rallied to 
the Clark party. The Carolinians so vastly outnumbered 
the Virginians that the party factions in Wilkinson during 
the first years did not develop that intensity which they did 
in other counties. Virginians whenever more capable were 
elected to office in preference to their fellow Carolinians. 
Hence the lists of early officers show a great many Vir¬ 
ginians, as a result of their superior educational qualifica¬ 
tions. 


Chapter XXIII 


EARLY CHURCHES 

THE EARLY BAPTIST CHURCHES 

F OR several years following the settlement of Wilkin¬ 
son County, there were no organized churches. Every¬ 
body were so busy getting their homes in livable condition, 
that little time could be found for the building of churches. 
Large numbers of the settlers had their membership in 
the community from whence they had moved. The lottery 
plan of distributing the lots had widely scattered the mem¬ 
bers of the various denominations, and before particular 
churches could be organized it was usually necessary to 
bring together several who were already members of that 
particular denomination. The many dangers faced by these 
pioneers, the wars and rumors of wars, the presence of 
the Indian Nation just across the Ocmulgee, the great 
crisis which every one realized was fast approaching when 
the American government must inevitably be drawn into 
the conflict then raging in Europe, was stirring the people 
of this section and none but the stoutest hearts escaped 
the dark mantle of dread that enveloped the whole people. 
All this tended to bring the citizens to a more religious 
frame of mind. Spiritually, Wilkinson was ripe for a great 
revival. 

There was another aspect which paved the way for the 
building of churches, the dire need of a meeting house for 
social intercourse on Sundays. The loneliness of these fron¬ 
tier settlements, the utter impossibility of going long dist¬ 
ances, made imperative that each community have some 
central place where not only the younger people but the 
older ones as well, could meet. Thus Wilkinson County 
was indeed ripe for the advent of the missionary. 

Thus, two Baptist preachers, Charles Culpepper and 


(163) 


164 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


John Ross, sensed the great opportunity which was ly¬ 
ing before them. Moving to the county and making it their 
home, they at once became valiant crusaders for the Bap¬ 
tist faith. From one community to another they went vis¬ 
iting the ones already members of this church, and using 
these as nuclei, began having services, inviting the neigh¬ 
borhood to take part. Others would join and soon there 
would be a sufficient number to organize a church. Mt. 
Nebo was the first church of any denomination to be or¬ 
ganized in the county, according to tradition, this being in 
1808. Rapidly following this, during the following year* 
churches at Ramah, Big Sandy, Cool Springs, besides many 
others in the nearby neighboring counties, were organized. 
In 1812, Myrtle Springs church was organized by Charles 
Culpepper and Rev. Shirey. 

This was the day of the itinerant preacher, the various 
churches preferring this plan to the local preacher method. 
The plan was for the preachers to go in couples from 
church to church and hold services. Culpepper and Ross 
were the ones living in Wilkinson County who for years 
followed this arrangement. To these two men the Baptists 
of Georgia are greatly indebted. 

The religious fervor of the times continued to increase 
with the rapid growth of the Baptist churches. As the 
turbulent conditions incited by Tecumseh in the Indian 
nations and the religious fanaticism broke out among the 
red men, the people realized more than ever that the Great 
Crisis was fast approaching. Days for fasting and prayer 
were set aside and rigidly observed. The dread was height¬ 
ened in many people by an earthquake and the appearance 
in the heavens of a comet, which was firmly believed to 
portend dire events. The date of the Declaration of the 
War of 1812, was fixed as a day of fasting and prayer. 
Likewise the date Washington City was captured and 
burned by the British was so set apart. 

So numerous became the churches of this denomination 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


165 


that the Ebenezer Association was formed in March, 
1814, at Cool Springs church at Allentown, in this county, 
by fourteen churches, dismissed from the Ocmulgee Asso¬ 
ciation and the Hepzibah Association. The Hepzibah 
sent Charles Culpepper, George Franklin, N. Robertson 
and J. Shirey; the Ocmulgee appointed Joseph Baker, V. 
A. Tharpe, D. Wood, H. Hooten, and Edmund Talbot, as 
presbyteries. (History of Georgia Baptists.) 

EARLY METHODISM IN WILKINSON 

While Charles Culpepper and John Ross were busily 
sowing the seeds of the Baptist faith, the Methodist church 
was not idle. Prior to the settling of the county, Lorenzo 
Dow’s fiery eloquence in the counties east of the Oconee 
had won numerous converts, and as they scattered through¬ 
out Wilkinson County, they clamored for organizations 
of their own belief. In 1805, the Oconee District was 
created by the Georgia-South Carolina Conference, which 
extended from the Ogeechee River to the Indian Boundary 
Line, and Samuel Cowles was appointed Presiding Elder. 
Following close on the heels of the extending of Wilkinson 
County’s territorial limits to the Ocmulgee and the carving 
out of other counties in 1807, the Ohoopee Circuit was 
created composed of this county and the counties to the 
south and southeast. Angus McDonald was sent hither 
as a missionary. This was the day of Camp Meetings and 
Shouting Methodists. Methodist Camp Grounds sprang 
up throughout the section. One of these was near Camp 
Ground Branch not far from the site where the first court 
was held. From this camp ground sprang Poplar Springs 
Methodist Church. Another Camp Ground is on Big Sandy 
Creek, at the spring above the road near Thompson’s 
Bridge. From this Camp ground sprang the Irwinton 
Methodist church. Another Camp Ground was near the 
old County Site not far from the Twiggs County line, and 
it is probable that Ball’s Church resulted from this. The 


166 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


work of McDonald must have borne fruit, for in 1808 
the Ocmulgee Circuit was created largely taking the place 
of the Ohoopee Circuit, Jones County being added to the 
circuit, while Laurens was placed elsewhere. Lovick Pierce 
was appointed the Presiding Elder. 

The early Methodist meetings in Wilkinson were large¬ 
ly dependent on local preachers or exhorters. The vast 
territory which the “circuit rider” had to cover made it 
impossible for him to give these meetings the needed at¬ 
tention. He was expected to devote his full time to work 
and usually had enough appointments on his circuit to give 
but one day in each month to each community. The meager 
salary allowed as well as the hardships incident to such 
a strenuous life tended to discourage many from entering 
the ministry as a life work. Hence, many would locate 
and would then be at liberty to preach when and wherever 
they chose. 

The Camp meetings were great events and would al¬ 
ways be attended by large crowds who would come for 
miles and remain for days at a time, spending the nights 
on the ground or at the homes of the nearby citizens. 

The continued growth of this denomination made nec¬ 
essary a reduction of the territory of the circuit rider and 
in 1816 the Ocmulgee circuit consisted of Wilkinson and 
Twiggs and parts of Jones and Pulaski counties. Charles 
Dickenson was assigned here that year and James Dun- 
woody was his helper. There were twenty-eight appoint¬ 
ments for these two men to meet each month. (History 
of Georgia Methodism.) 

For many years after the town of Irwinton was built 
there was no organized church here, the members attend¬ 
ing nearby churches. The Methodist Church was the first 
to be organized at Irwinton, and in all probability about 
1820, as tradition handed down by B. Wynn is to the effect 
that Salem Church, which was organized in 1818, was 
the first Methodist church to be organized in the county. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


167 


Mention is made of the Methodist Chapel at Irwinton 
in 1829. So rapidly did Methodism take hold in and around 
Irwinton that in 1834, Irwinton was taken from the Oo 
mulgee Circuit and made a separate charge, with Rev. 
James B. Payne as pastor. In that year the membership of 
the church here was given as being five hundred, seventy- 
seven members. The Methodist church probably owes as 
much to Payne as does the Baptist church to Charles Cul¬ 
pepper and John Ross, for the dissemination of its teach¬ 
ings. Smith in his History of Methodism says of Payne: 
“From his entrance into the ministry James B. Payne had 
a wonderful success in winning souls.” 


J 


Chapter XXIV 

THE SCHOOLS OF WILKINSON COUNTY 

EARLY DEVELOPMENT 

A S to what the people of Wilkinson county were doing 
towards educating their children during the first few 
years after the settlement, we have no means of knowing. 
All written records covering this particular phase seem 
to be destroyed. In all probability, however, there were 
but few who received any education during the first few 
years after the settlement, for this was a period when 
everyone was being strained towards getting fields 
cleared, houses built and the new homes in a condition fit 
to dwell in. Education was looked upon more as luxury 
than as a necessity. Money with which to pay teachers was 
scarce. Markets for produce were in far away Augusta 
and Savannah, and tutors could not well accept produce 
as pay. 

MT. ETNA. The veil of obscurity covering the schools 
of Wilkinson county is first lifted in 1814. We find in the 
Georgia Journal, published in Milledgeville, of March 
2nd, 1814, the following advertisement: 

“Mount Etna School in Wilkinson county was opened 
on February 3rd under the direction of E. Underwood, 
where a few more scholars will be received. The Director 
of this school, from considerable experience and unre¬ 
mitted attention, hopes to give general satisfaction to 
such scholars as are entrusted to his care. The situation is 
very healthy, the water good, and board may be had at 
respectable houses on moderate terms. Terms of tuition 
for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, $2.50 per quarter—for 
Grammar, Geography and Mathematics, $4.00.” 

While we have no means of knowing the exact location 

(168) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


169 


of Mount Etna, yet we have every reason for believing 
that it was either at or near the present town of Irwinton. 
It was known at that time where the county site would be? 
likely to be fixed and we find that during the same month 
that the half acre town lots were being advertised for sale 
by the Commissioners appointed for this purpose. It is 
probable that this school was the same one which was out 
in the field a few hundred yards east of the home of T. A. 
Brundage, as the mother of R. W. Adkins, deceased, dur¬ 
ing her lifetime told of attending a school at that place 
when she was young. It is likely that the school remained 
at that place until the County Academy was built at Ir¬ 
winton. 

THE COUNTY ACADEMY. It is probable that 
Mt. Etna School was the same as the Wilkinson County 
Academy. The laws of Georgia during the years after 
Wilkinson county was settled provided for the support of 
a county academy in each county. Apparently no provision 
was made for any academy in Wilkinson until after the 
territory south of the line from the mouth of Big Sandy 
Creek to the Ocmulgee river was cut off. Until this time 
no man knew what parts would be cut off and as everyone 
was busy settling his lands had no time for schools. 
After this line had been run and it was thought that Wil¬ 
kinson county had assumed its permanent form, we find 
the first mention made of the Wilkinson County Academy. 
To John Thomas Fairchilds belongs the credit of intro¬ 
ducing this resolution in the House. John Ball carried 
it through the Senate, which provided for this academy 
and appointed as Commissioners of the academy, Arthur 
Fort, Stephen Johnston, William Lord, John Hays and 
William Bivins, the date of this being December, 1808. 

As to whether these commissioners ever acted we have 
no record, but it is probable that due to the confusion re¬ 
sulting from the selection of the county site, nothing was 


170 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


done towards making definite arrangements for a County 
Academy. 

In 1810, a new set of Commissioners was appointed 
for the county academy, these being Major John Hatcher, 
Matthew Carswell, Daniel Hicks, Stephen Gafford, and 
Jeremiah Lofton. In 1813, the legislature appointed 
Stephen Hoge, Nicholas Thompson, and Thomas Ard as 
Commissioners to fill vacancies. 

The county academy provided in each county during 
this period was not intended to be used for the education 
of the masses, but for the children of the wealthier classes. 
The Academy was thus used mainly by those who lived 
near the county site, by those who could afford the ex¬ 
pense of boarding their children, and those who could 
furnish a conveyance for their children to ride. Many of 
the wealthier families found it more convenient to employ 
private tutors for their children. Among the masses there 
had not yet been felt that need for universal schooling 
which years later resulted in such a clamor for more 
schools that the legislature saw fit to grant them. 

As the years passed, the struggle for a livelihood be¬ 
came less severe, times became more prosperous, and the 
wealthier citizens over the whole county became more in¬ 
terested in the culture and education of their children. The 
Academy at Irwinton was rapidly growing in popularity. 
In addition to this, here and there community schools be¬ 
gan .to appear, supported by a few men of the community 
who realized the need of educating their children. Usually 
these community schools grew up in churches. Teachers 
were few and hard to obtain. Often-times some “Yankee” 
passing through would be hired to do the teaching, but his 
methods of instruction would hardly be approved by the 
educators of today. Instead of encouraging the rank and 
file to educate their children, many impediments were 
thrown in the way, and the great mass of the poorer chil¬ 
dren were allowed to grow up without any schooling at all. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


171 


One of the results of this system of education was a de¬ 
velopment of two classes of citizenship, an aristocratic 
element and a “poor white trash” element. The one be¬ 
came wealthier and wealthier as the years passed, the 
other remained stationary or became poorer. The growth 
of the plantation system, cultivated by slave labor was 
rapidly reducing the poorer families to almost serfdom. 
The big plantation owners as their wealth increased would 
purchase all the available lands near him, and the oppor¬ 
tunities for the poor man to obtain land were few. Large 
families was the rule in these days and in order to give 
the children opportunities to acquire property it became 
the custom to move to more thinly settled portions of the 
state and there take up the cheap lands. Hence, from year 
to year, there was an exodus of citizens from Wilkinson 
county to other counties. Likewise, many of the wealthier 
classes would sell out their plantations and move to cheap¬ 
er and sometimes better lands. 

THE FIRST BRICK SCHOOL HOUSE 

As the wealth of Wilkinson continued to grow, we find 
direct results in the increasing interest in the education of 
the children. In 1821, Samuel Beall who had recently 
made Wilkinson County his home, and John King, were 
appointed as commissioners of the Academy of the County 
of Wilkinson in the place of David Roland and Jeremiah 
Lofton. Three years later, in 1824, the Wilkinson County 
Academy was incorporated, with William Beck, James 
Neal, Alpheus Beall, John F. Simmons, Charles Culpep¬ 
per, Lluellyn Roberson and Richard Whitaker as Trus¬ 
tees. The fact that Samuel Beall was in the Senate at this 
time leads us to believe that he was largely instrumental 
in having this act of incorporation passed. Suffice to say, 
that from this date, Irwinton has born the reputation of 
being an educational center. Immediate steps were taken 
towards providing a suitable school building. The lot 


172 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


whereon Talmage Institute was later built was acquired 
and about the spot where the residence of F. G. Bying- 
ton now stands, there was erected a brick schoolhouse. The 
following advertisement found in the Georgia Journal, 
dated Dec. 28, 1824, gives us an attractive picture of Ir- 
winton and the surrounding country: 

“Wilkinson Academy. This academy, agreeable to the 
progress of the building and the arrangements made by 
the Trustees, will be prepared for the reception of stu¬ 
dents on the 3rd Monday in Jan., next. The Trustees beg 
leave to inform the public that a teacher competent to 
teach as well the ordinary scholastic duties and rudiments 
of science as the Academical branches, preparatory to an 
entry in college, will be expected from him, and whose 
recommendation is requested to be accompanied with a 
reputation of sobriety and morality, such a one will be 
gladly received to take charge of this institution and will 
meet with proper encouragement and an adequate salary. 
This institution is established in Irwinton, whose inhabi¬ 
tants have hitherto enjoyed as great a share of health 
as any place below the mountains, who are also in their 
habits quite consonant to the strict rules of morality and 
decorum. The place affords excellent water, its contiguity 
to the Mineral Springs, being but four miles from Irwin¬ 
ton, recently discovered and much resorted to the past 
summer, which from their salubrious effects will probably 
increase in resort in the succeeding. Irwinton is surrounded 
with plentiful country, abundantly affording all the neces¬ 
sary comforts for subsistence of students who are placed 
at this Academy for education. Parents who choose to 
place their children at this Institution for instruction may 
be assured that the guardianship while in school and ex¬ 
amples when out of school in the private families of Irwin¬ 
ton, will be of such moral character as will be perfectly con¬ 
sonant with the rules of good order as are most admirably 
calculated to impress the tender mind. Any application by 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


173 


any person desiring to take charge of this Academy will 
please address it to the Secretary of the Board of Trus¬ 
tees at this place. 

Alphous Beall, 

Sec. of the Board.” 

(John S. Barry of Vermont, then only twenty-two years 
of age, answered this advertisement and with his wife 
moved to Irwinton and took charge of the school for the 
following two years, at the same time preparing himself 
for admission to the bar. After practicing law at Irwinton 
for a few years, serving as Captain of the Irwinton Mili¬ 
tary Company and later appointed as military aide by 
Governor Forsyth, he removed to the State of Michigan 
where he was elected Governor three different times on the 
Democratic ticket.) 

THE POOR SCHOOLS 

This was the day when the prevailing line of thought 
was that it was the duty of the individual to pay for the 
education of his children, and not the duty of the state. 
The result of this was that there was a great mass of chil¬ 
dren, whose parents were either unable or unwilling to 
pay for their schooling, growing up in ignorance in Wil¬ 
kinson county. For years, the state paid nothing at all to 
any school except the County Academy, and to that very 
little. Later the Poor School Fund was provided for the 
various schools. It was slowly being realized by the 
statesmen of Georgia that it was the duty of the state to 
provide an education for those children whose parents 
could not afford to pay a teacher. In 1826, Wilkinson’s 
share of the Poor School Fund was $460.71. In 1830, the 
Wilkinson County Academy received only $388.55 as its 
share of the state school funds. In 1836, however, Jere¬ 
miah Beall was Trustee for Poor Schools of Wilkinson 
county, and in this year the state appropriation for the 
county was $790.21. 


174 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The name, Poor School Fund, as it was unfortunately 
called, antagonized the pride of many parents who con¬ 
sidered they were objects of charity whenever they ac¬ 
cepted schooling for their children paid by this fund. This 
was strikingly illustrated in one of these years while C. C. 
Beall was Trustee of Poor Schools when the fund re¬ 
ceived was $651.43 and only $342.93 was expended. 

During this period the management of the school funds 
was in the hands of the Inferior Court and Ordinary, the 
latter being ex-officio County School Commissioner and 
was required to make an annual report to the Grand Jury. 

Teachers were examined by a board of examiners ap¬ 
pointed by the Inferior Court. In 1859, Rufus J. Cochran, 
R. A. Stanley, William O. Beall, and Nathaniel C. Hughs 
were the examining board. 

Taxes for the maintenance of the “Poor Schools” as 
they were called were levied by the Inferior Court upon 
recommendation of the Grand Jury. Returns of names of 
those children whose parents were not able to pay for 
their tuition were kept on file by the School Commis¬ 
sioner. The teacher in each academy was required to file 
with the School Commissioner monthly reports giving the 
names and number of days each one of such children at¬ 
tended his school, and he was allowed five cents per day 
for these. 

The report to the Grand Jury made by the commis¬ 
sioner in 1855 shows receipts from all sources of $546.90. 
This report further showed 515 children whom the county 
was under obligation to educate and approximately the 
same number whose parents could pay their tuition. 

In addition to the small amounts paid the teachers of 
the Poor Schools, the Inferior Court was authorized by 
an act of the Legislature of 1854 to supply needy pupils 
with books and stationery, Judge Authur E. Cochran be¬ 
ing the author of this. The amount paid the teachers in 
1855 was five cents per day for each pupil unable to pay 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


175 


tuition; in 1859 this was increased to seven cents per day, 
as is deduced from the old accounts filed by the teachers 
found in the court house. The account of C. O. Davis, 
who taught in Bloodworth district in 1855 and 1859, ls 
very valuable in giving the above information. It is made 
out against the “School Commissioner of the County of 
Wilkinson,” the Ordinary then serving as such, and after 
giving a list of the pupils taught, the number of days each 
attended, there was added his affidavit that he did not ex¬ 
pect to get any pay for teaching them from any other 
source. 

Traditions are handed down by the descendants of 
John Tomberlin that about 1820, the planters about the 
line of Turkey Creek and Griffin Districts combined to¬ 
gether and employed a Yankee school teacher to teach 
their children and sent them ten months in the year to 
him. This length of term seems to have been general 
over the county, which goes to explain the superior state 
of education and culture boasted of by the aristocratic 
families of the counties prior to the emancipation of the 
slaves. 

Not only did the leading families of the county pa¬ 
tronize the district schools but it was no uncommon thing 
for a planter to send his sons to finish their education in 
northern colleges. An instance of this was Elijah Hogan 
who sent his son, Elijah Columbus Hogan, to a university 
in New York. 


THE “DEESTRICK” SCHOOL 

In 183 s an act was passed making the Academical 
Fund a part of the Poor School Fund for Wilkinson. The 
following year, 1836, will always stand out as a red letter 
year for the schools of Wilkinson county. In each of the 
eight militia districts, with the exception of the County 
Site where the County Academy was located, there was 


176 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


incorporated a local academy. As trustees of these schools 
we find the outstanding men of these districts. 

BLACK CREEK ACADEMY in (Bloodworth) Bond’s 
District with John Hall, George Shinholser, Bryant O’- 
Banion, Oathneel McCook, and Thomas LTnderwood, 
trustees. 

LIBERTY HILL ACADEMY in the Fork (Passmore) 
District with James Hatcher, Lewis Clay, Ratliff Boone, 
John Meredith, and Daniel S. Pierce, trustees. 

MOUNT PLEASANT ACADEMY in Currie’s 
(Lord’s) District with Joel Dees, William Lord, Wiley 
Miller, Hansford Davis, and Jethro Dean, trustees. (The 
writer is informed that Mrs. Epsy Brady, the wife of 
Franklin Brady gave the lot at Poplar Head upon which 
this school was built.) 

UNION HILL ACADEMY in Ramah District with 
Richard Lewis, James Gibson, Samuel Bragg, Joel Rivers, 
and Archibald Smith, trustees; this academy was located 
near the home of Joel Rivers and was called the Rivers 
Academy. When Sherman came through his soldiers 
burned it. 

GRIFFIN DISTRICT ACADEMY with Robert Rozar, 
William B. Smith, Elisha Hall, William Cawley and Dan¬ 
iel Hall, trustees. 

HIGH HILL ACADEMY in High Hill District, lo¬ 
cated at Pleasant Plains Church, with Isaac Hall, James 
Ross, William Carswell, Joel Hardie and William Hern¬ 
don, trustees. 

TURKEY CREEK ACADEMY in Turkey Creek Dis¬ 
trict with John T. Harrison, Timothy Sears, Anderson 
Ingram, William Payne and Joel Butler, trustees. (This 
school was erected on the lands formerly owned by I,. L. 
Hall.) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


177 


LAFAYETTE ACADEMY in High Hill District with 
William E. Carswell, Williamson Calhoun, John Smith, 
Samuel M. Carswell and Green B. Burney, trustees. (This 
school was incorporated in 1837 and was located at Bethel 
Church.) 

(As an indication of the interest the state manifested in 
the support of these academies, the sum of $32.75 each, 
was paid them in 1.838.) 

WASHINGTON ACADEMY was incorporated in 
1840, with Green Burney, Solomon Arnold, John Breed¬ 
love, Ellis Harvill and Lewis Spears, trustees. 

HARRISON ACADEMY in Turkey Creek District was 
incorporated in 1850 with A. W. Jordan, Nimrod Burke, 
R. F. Rozar, John Burke and Samuel Meredith, trustees. 
(This was located on lands donated by Allen Davidson 
and is now known as the Manson School.) 

COOL SPRING ACADEMY, located at Allentown was 
incorporated in 1856, with Anderson Ingram, Willis Al¬ 
len, John Gainey, William F. M. Brown and Eli Sears, 
trustees. 


TALMAGE NORMAL INSTITUTE 

In all the history of Wilkinson, no institution has 
played a greater part in the affairs of her citizens than 
has this school. It was the pride of the whole of Wilkin¬ 
son county for almost three-quarters of a century. Each 
section during these years while it was in its prime was ac¬ 
customed to send hither the young men and young women 
for the finishing touches of their education. None but the 
ablest teachers were employed, and the fame of this 
school attracted boarding pupils from other counties. 

The act of the legislature incorporating this school was 
due to the efforts of Judge Arthur E. Cochran who was 
representing the county in the Senate of 1854, and pro- 


178 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


vided that the trustees should be Green B. Burney, 
Thomas N. Beall, William Fisher, Eleazer Cumming, E. 
J. Gilbert, N. C. Hughs, Leroy Fleetwood, F. D. Ross, 
James Jackson, Joel Deese, R. L. Story, R. J. Cochran, 
N. A. Carswell and William Taylor. These trustees were 
given authority to borrow money for the school, to have 
perpetual succession and in case of vacancy, the remaining 
trustees should have the power to fill the vacancies and to 
increase the number of the trustees to a maximum of 
twenty-one, besides such other rights and privileges nec¬ 
essary to the management of the school. 

The original intention of Judge Cochran was for the 
school to be used as a training school for teachers but it 
was found impractical to use it for that purpose. There¬ 
fore, it having been named Talmage Normal Institute in 
honor of Dr. Samuel Talmage, the name was abbreviated 
to Talmage Institute about 1874. 

THE ORIGIN OF THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW 

The Grand Jury of the April term, 1855, m its P re_ 
sentments will go down in history as the originators of the 
idea of the Compulsory Education Law. Their recom¬ 
mendations are as follows: 

“We have carefully examined the books and the report 
of the school commissioner; and in them we find cause of 
much to regret and deplore. There were three hundred 
and seventy-seven children returned and we have ascer¬ 
tained forty-nine others that we also considered. Mak¬ 
ing four hundred and twenty-six in all entitled to the bene¬ 
fit of the fund. Two hundred and ninety-two of this num¬ 
ber were taught by the different teachers throughout the 
county, an average of but thirty-nine days each during the 
past year, and the other one hundred and thirty-four, we 
have no reason to believe, received a day’s schooling. 
1 hese facts speak for themselves—proving either the 
want of suitable and convenient schools, or the deplorable 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


179 


ignorance or criminal indifference and neglect of parents 
and guardians. We have serious apprehensions that the 
time when the entire mass of our rising population shall 
be properly educated, is for Wilkinson county at least, far 
in the distance. The remedy for this evil, we are unpre¬ 
pared to suggest but would respectfully commend to the 
serious consideration of the Legislature, whether some 
act, compelling parents to permit their children to be edu¬ 
cated to some extent may not be necessary. Forty-six of 
the children whom we mention as having been taught were 
not legally returned to the Commissioner—he therefore 
was not entitled to pay the accounts of their teachers. We 
believe these to be equally entitled and commend that he 
be allowed to pay them.” 

Those serving on the Grand Jury at this April term 
were: Thomas H. Parker, foreman; John Van Landing- 
ham, Littleton Branan, Joseph N. Miller, Archibald M. 
Smith, John H. Freeman, Eason Green, Abram Pitts, Joel 
Llardie, Charles Hooks, Zenus Fordham, James Pittman, 
Allen Chambers, James Fountain, James A. Dean, Wil¬ 
liam Taylor, Etheldridge Ogburn, Wyriott C. Adams, 
Edward Hickman, James Hoover, Alexander Nesbit, 
John J. Todd, Francis Fordham. 

The following are names of Wilkinson county school 
teachers, as taken from old Poor School Records, cover¬ 
ing years 1852 to 1859: 

Norman McReany, C. B. Anderson, Wm. H. Golden, 

R. L. Cumming, L. D. Rees, Wm. McGawin, E. C. Ho¬ 
gan, Timothy Bloodworth, Wm. Carlton, Wm. S. John¬ 
son, M. B. Johnson, Henry L. Dunlap, Jas. M. Lovitt, 
B. S. Carswell, B. I. Aycock, Mary Lavender, Wiley 
Shepherd, Theophalus Hardie, Robert Smith, I. K. Wal¬ 
ter, J. B. Ursery, Jeremiah Smith, Charles T. Cushing, 
Jacob R. Walters, Iverson L. Harville, A. D. Breedlove, 
Sydney A. Warren, Alphaus Breedlove, Larkin Smith, L. 

S. Jenkins, Luiza Jackson, Francis A. Bishop, J. N. Ray, 


180 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James M. Neil, Meredith Honeycut, M. H. Esom, F. F. 
Stubbs, John D. Vann, Joseph McCook, John H. Strong, 
Harriett M. Powell, Obadiah Dumas, J. W. Payne, A. 
M. Bridges, H. K. Byington, N. B. Nyles, F. A. Kittles, 
J. B. Murphy, Austin Todd, R. A. Stanley, W. W. Deen, 
Andrew F. Frazer, W. M. Dean, Thomas Walters, W. L. 
Holland, John W. Leyan, Wm. R. Pixley, Charles M. 
Carter, J. B. Ursery, Lydia Jackson, B. T. Castillo, W. S. 
Castillo, James Adams, John P. Califf, John A. Clements, 
Joseph D. Bond, C. O. Davis, Caroline Waters, Iverson 

L. Harvill, Frances Todd, Benjamin Breedlove, J. W. 
Blackshear, H. E. Harville, Miss Martha Sinclair, A. N. 
Ladd, M. N. Murphy, A. V. McCardle, J. E. McDonald, 
Benjamin Green, James A. Bush, John M. Russell, Miss 

M. R. Anderson, Wm. R. Stub, Byd S. Collins, Lucius I. 
Robson, James T. Castillo, P. A. Ashley, W. T. Hol¬ 
land, S. T. Player, Joseph McCook, J. D. Shaws, A. R. 
Harvill, Sarah Jackson, Joel F. Loftin, James F. McBeth, 
J. F. Ross, Wm. N. Ryle, John M. Smith, John H. Strong, 
Hamilton Shepherd, Nancy McLeods, Welcome Ursery, 
Thomas Freeman, E. E. Methvin, Minard F. Olph, Phil¬ 
lip Clancy, George W. Boatwright, Joseph S. Hair, D. C. 
Walker, Margaret L. Rose, L. F. Saulter, F. I. Chambers, 
Martha Kemp, N. M. Green, N. B. Jackson, Emma But¬ 
ler, J. M. Langford, Sophiah Taylor. 


Chapter XXV 


WAR PREPARATIONS IN WILKINSON 

THE BUILDING OF THE HARTFORD ROAD 

P ROBABLY no road in the State of Georgia has had 
such a history as has the Old Hartford Road, which 
formerly led from Milledgeville the capital of the state, 
through the counties of Baldwin, Wilkinson, Twiggs, and 
Pulaski to the then frontier at Hartford, where Hawkins- 
ville now stands. 

The world crisis was directly responsible for the build¬ 
ing of this road, the crisis that was affecting the destinies 
of the entire world, the crisis which was threatening Wil¬ 
kinson county as well as all Georgia with utter destruc¬ 
tion. Such was the case, and no one realized it more than 
did the people of Wilkinson. 

Lor years before the declaration of the War of 1812 
the people of Georgia had foreseen the approaching con¬ 
flict. They had experienced the machinations of the British 
agents who were eternally stirring up trouble for Georgia 
among the Creek Indians just beyond the Ocmulgee. They 
had not forgotten the terrible experience during the 
American Revolution when all Georgia was drenched in 
the blood of the patriots, when the Indians were turned 
loose upon the state by the British. They realized that no 
state was in a more dangerous position than Georgia, that 
the British would doubtless land troops in the Indian 
country where thousands of redskins would flock to their 
standard and march through the very heart of Georgia. 
Or should the British use Florida as their base or attack 
the coastal country below Savannah the effect would be the 
same and the section here between the Ocmulgee and the 
Oconee would become the objective of the invading forces. 
It thus became necessary for Georgia to be able to rush 

( 181 ) 


182 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


troops, artillery, and ammunition to Hartford which must 
necessarily become the point of attack. 

The approaching crisis thus made necessary the build¬ 
ing of the road to Hartford, and every able-bodied man 
between the ages of sixteen and fifty living within three 
miles of this road was drafted to build it. The act of the 
Legislature named as commissioners for this road Aaron 
Feagan and B. M’Crary of Baldwin; John King, Thomas 
M’Ginty and Thomas Durham of Wilkinson; Robert 
Sherrard, John Hays and Thomas Dennard of Twiggs. 

The Hartford road had been built not a moment too 
soon. Along the road was soon heard the roll of drums, 
the rumble of artillery wagons, the tramp of soldiers, as 
they hurried to the frontier. Galloping couriers carried 
the despatches to and from Milledgeville and General 
Blackshear along this road which became his line of com¬ 
munication. 

WILKINSON COUNTY'S PART IN THE WAR OF l8l2 

Perhaps never in the history of the civilized world has 
a universal fear seized the whole people as during this pe¬ 
riod of time. The great dread that seized the whole of 
Europe at the monster armies of Napoleon on the one side 
and his enemies on the other had spread to the New 
World. It seized upon the Creek Indian nation, where 
their superstitions prepared the way for any cult that 
might be introduced. 

The British, recognizing the trend of events was in¬ 
evitably drawing America into maelstrom of war which 
was engulfing Europe and that she would be aligned on 
the side of her Revolutionary ally, France, was not slow 
to grasp the opportunity of arousing the Creeks into a re¬ 
ligious frenzy against the Americans. She could not have 
selected a more powerful agent to produce this than Te- 
cumseh. With his band of Shawnees, he came from De¬ 
troit into the Creek nation. From tribe to tribe he went, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 183 

even into the Seminoles of Florida, teaching them the 
“Dance of the Lakes,” converting all the disgruntled ele¬ 
ments to his faith immediately and from them spreading 
to those who had always been loyal to the Americans. His 
prophecies of destruction for those who refused to believe 
in him, death by quagmires, earthquakes, thunder and 
lightning and all the forces of nature, which he claimed to 
be at his beck and call, while the bullets of their enemies 
would prove harmless to the true believers: all this was 
rapidly having its effect on the Indians. As he went from 
tribe to tribe, the mantle of Tecumseh was cast upon other 
able local prophets, and these took up the work with such a 
spirit that the whole nation was soon in an uproar. Chief¬ 
tain after chieftain was converted, and town after town 
began rapidly to join the war party until nine-tenths of the 
whole nation was arrayed against the Americans. Here 
and there, however, a chieftain would remain loyal to the 
Americans and hold his followers in line. 

Chiefest of these was Big Warrior of the Tucka- 
batches, Chief Speaker of the nation. He treated with de¬ 
rision the teachings of Tecumseh and his converts. Te¬ 
cumseh, however, had been informed by the British that a 
comet would appear in the fall and that he could safely 
prophesy concerning its approach to the Indians and use it 
to further his ends. Tecumseh therefore prophesied that 
Big Warrior would see his arm extended across the heav¬ 
ens in the fall and when he, Tecumseh, returned to De¬ 
troit, he would stamp his feet and shake down every house 
in Tuckabatchee. The next month after he made this re¬ 
markable prediction, a mighty rumbling was heard in the 
earth and the houses of Tuckabatchee reeled and tot¬ 
tered in an earthquake. (Pickett’s History of Alabama, p. 
515.) Soon the comet appeared. To the superstitious red 
men it was Tecumseh’s arm extended. 

But still the staunch old chieftain, though with fear and 
trembling, refused to take sides against the Americans. 


184 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


With him, remained the greater part of the Tuckabatchee 
tribe as well as the Coweta, the Cusseta and a few other 
tribes. 

Both the British and Tecumseh, himself, seems to have 
overestimated the power their plans would have upon the 
superstitious minds of the Indians. Their success over¬ 
stepped their most sanguine expectations and perhaps 
saved the southern states from one of the greatest massa¬ 
cres in history. The British had calculated upon, and had 
timed the Indian outbreak to coincide with the arrival of 
their fleets and land forces to be sent from Europe. But 
the religious fanaticism of the Indians could not be re¬ 
strained. Killings and disorders broke out throughout the 
whole Indian nation. A civil war among the Creeks was 
imminent in 1813. Hoboheilthle, theTallassee king, fa¬ 
mous in Georgia history, now grasped the war club. 
Though a delegation of Indians loyal to the Americans 
hurried to him and urged him to desist, he vowed he 
would not only capture and destroy all the Indian towns 
lying between him and the Georgia frontiers but would 
not pause in his victorious march through Georgia until 
he had reached the Ogeechee: that with his bows and ar¬ 
rows and war clubs and magic powers, aided by the British 
and Shawnees who were already en route, he would crush 
the Americans. (Indian Affairs, p. 847.) 

WILKINSON COUNTY THREATENED BY THE INDIANS 

The disaffection of this famous old chieftain was a se¬ 
rious blow to the Americans. For his were no idle threats. 
His influence throughout the Creek land would now rally 
hundreds of braves to the British arms. Only too well did 
the uneasy families of Wilkinson and the adjoining coun¬ 
ties realize the peril that now faced them as this news 
reached the Georgia frontiers, for WILKINSON LAY 
IN HIS THREATENED LINE OF MARCH, with 
only thinly settled Twiggs county lying between it and the 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


185 


Indian country, and the small federal garrison at Fort 
Hawkins to stand guard. 

In June, 1813, news reached the Indian nation that the 
Shawnees from the Great Lakes were coming. This seems 
to have been taken by them as the signal for their out¬ 
break. The civil war now burst forth and the towns loyal 
to the Americans began to feel the weight of Indian ven¬ 
geance. The Indian chieftain, Cornells, hurried to Mil- 
ledgeville and urged the governor of Georgia to rush 
troops to the aid of the loyal Indians but the governor 
was dilatory and the civil war continued to rage. In July 
another appeal was sent to Benjamin Hawkins by the In¬ 
dians offering a part of the Indian lands if aid should be 
sent them. At the same time, Big Warrior, whose town 
was now beseiged by the hostiles was sending appeals to 
the ancient allies of his tribe, the Cherokees, for aid. The 
combined forces of the hostiles were now turned against 
Tuckabatchee whose warriors still stood firm. The Cusse- 
tah and the Coweta chiefs now vowed they would die in 
the defense of Big Warrior and gathering two hundred 
warriors ordered their war chiefs to fight their way to 
Tuckabatchee and bring back to Coweta the beleagured 
braves of Big Warrior. Welcome news arrived by runners 
that the Cherokees were on the march to the aid of the 
loyal Creeks. 

The Cussetah and Coweta warriors having succeeded 
in saving Big Warrior and his tribesmen and bringing 
them back with them, the Indian towns along the Chatta¬ 
hoochee were fortified against Hoboheilthle, who was 
now the recognized head of the war faction, and was 
putting into effect his threats of systematic destruction of 
all the Indian towns which refused to dance the “Dance 
of the Lakes.” These fortified towns along the Chatta- 
hooche now constituted the first line of defense for the 
people of Wilkinson county against the threatened de¬ 
struction. 


186 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


And yet, the governor of Georgia as well as the federal 
authorities seemed unaware of the great crisis facing this 
section. Tardiness and delays were making the weak In¬ 
dian towns fight their battles against overwhelming odds. 

Suddenly in August the massacre at Fort Mims filled 
the nation with horror and awakened it to the fact that a 
crisis was upon this section. Their success in this attack on 
Fort Mims now convinced the Indians that their prophets 
were worthy of belief, and it was immediately decided to 
attack the well fortified Coweta town with all the forces 
that could be brought to bear and after reducing it, sweep 
Georgia to the Savannah river where the British would 
co-operate. The date fixed for the storming of Coweta 
town was about October ist, 1813. News also reached 
the friendly Indians that the Seminoles well armed by the 
Spaniards in Florida were on the march to join in with the 
attack. Frantic appeals were sent to the governor of 
Georgia stating that unless help arrived the loyal towns 
would have to join the hostile “Red Sticks” to prevent be¬ 
ing destroyed. The governor of Georgia now thoroughly 
alarmed hastened General Floyd with his Georgia militia 
to the aid of Coweta and they arrived in time to prevent 
its fall. 

In the meantime the inhabitants in this immediate sec¬ 
tion threatened by Hoboheilthle were in a panic of fear. 
Knowing his ability to make good this threat with his 
thousands of fanatic warriors, those living nearest the 
Ocmulgee frontier were in a high state of alarm and were 
fleeing into the interior. Immense numbers left their 
homes in terror, for the comparatively small forces of 
militia which could be depended on were no match for the 
red tribesmen of Floboheilthle. Brigadier-General David 
Blackshear, of Laurens county, was in command of the 
Second Brigade of the Fifth Division, composed of the 
regiments of Wilkinson, Twiggs, Laurens, Pulaski, and 
Telfair counties. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


187 


In the early part of August, 1813, the situation along 
the frontiers guarded by this brigade became so serious 
that Governor Mitchell ordered him to repair at once to 
the Ocmulgee and take such steps as would make the in¬ 
habitants secure. Hastening to Twiggs county he hur¬ 
riedly had three forts erected along the river at strategic 
points. From this county he went to Pulaski and Telfair 
where he had seven other forts built. Col. Ezekiel Wim¬ 
berly commanding the militia of Twiggs was ordered to 
assemble sufficient men to garrison the forts along the 
Twiggs border and to provide mounted spies to patrol the 
territory lying between. Col. Allen Tooke of Pulaski and 
Major Cawthorn of Telfair were given similar orders to 
garrison the forts of their respective counties. The Wil¬ 
kinson county militia under the command of Col. William 
Cawley and that of Laurens county was now ordered out 
to relieve these garrisons in the guarding of the frontier. 
Those parts of the first class militia not in active service 
were required to assemble at Irwinton every two weeks to 
be drilled and disciplined. 

Although the militia of this whole section was now un¬ 
der arms, it began to be realized that the state was to¬ 
tally unprepared for a war such as was bursting upon it. 
It was found that there were insufficient arms, especially 
in Telfair county, with which to provide the militia. Gen¬ 
eral Blackshear at once sent urgent demands on the gov¬ 
ernor for more. It was now also discovered that the pow¬ 
der and balls provided by the state arsenals were practi¬ 
cally worthless. Thus, badly armed and equipped, the 
militia formed a weak second line of defense along the Oc¬ 
mulgee against the impending extermination by the hostile 
Creeks. On every breeze came rumors of British warships 
filled with thousands of British troops which were ex¬ 
pected to be landed on either the Atlantic coast or the 
Gulf coast and march through Georgia, and against any 
well armed body of men the militia would fare badly. 


188 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


However, the arms and ammunition problem was partly 
remedied. 

In the meantime events were happening in the Indian 
nation which gave relief to the fear-stricken settlers of 
this section. General Floyd had arrived at Coweta and 
reinforced by the friendly Indians had defeated the In¬ 
dians at Caleebee, in which battle the Tallassee King fell. 
Likewise Andrew Jackson at the head of his West Ten¬ 
nesseans had arrived in the Indian nation, and Cocke with 
his East Tennesseeans was approaching. Battle after bat¬ 
tle was fought, the Indians fighting with a fanatical fe¬ 
rocity never equalled in the history of the Creek nation. 
Had the overzealous prophets been able to have re¬ 
strained their converts and co-ordinated their uprising 
with the arrival of the British forces, the history of Wil¬ 
kinson county would have told a far different story. As it 
was, the Creeks could not withstand the overwhelming 
armies that were sent against them and their power was 
crushed before the British arrived. 

General Blackshear during this time had assembled his 
forces at Hartford (Hawkinsville), as his headquarters 
and extended his line of operations to the Flint river 
where he stationed a force for the protection of the Oc- 
mulgee frontier. This released the line of forts from so 
rigid a guard. All the first class militia of this section was 
now organized and surrendered to the use of the federal 
government to be sent to whatever front deemed neces¬ 
sary (Bench & Bar of Ga., Vol. i,. p. 419). It now became 
essential for the second class militia of these counties to 
guard the Ocmulgee line of defense. 

As the year 1814 wore on dark days fell upon Wilkin¬ 
son county. Washington city had been burned by a victo¬ 
rious British army. The great Napoleon on whom 
America had so fondly based her hopes of invincibility 
when she had entered the war met his downfall at Leipsic 
and was sent into exile. News reached Georgia that the 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


• 189 


hosts of British redcoats fresh from the battlefields of 
Europe would now be poured into Georgia, either from 
the Gulf or from the Atlantic coast. Irwinton was now 
made the recruiting rendezvous of Lieutenant Gresham, 
2nd Lt. 8th U. S. Infantry. 

A new Indian peril now faced this immediate section. 
Ten British ships having arrived at Apalachicola, the 
Seminole tribes which had become greatly augmented by 
large numbers of other Creeks upon the utter defeat of 
the Creek nation by Jackson, Floyd and others, had 
flocked to the Seminoles and now seized upon this oppor¬ 
tunity to get revenge. Thus in September of 1814, the 
citizens of these counties between the Ocmulgee and 
Oconee were thrown into great excitement over well sub¬ 
stantiated rumors that the Seminoles would shortly at¬ 
tack Hartford. Col. Allen Tooke commanding the militia 
of Pulaski county, recognizing the dire straits that section 
was now in by reason of all the first class militia having 
entered the federal service hurried a courier to Governor 
Early informing him of the perilous situation. 

The forts guarding the Ocmulgee were now reinforced 
and a body of scouts was thrown across the river to explore 
the Indian country throughout that section, and locate 
any hostiles on the march. 

It became increasingly apparent that New Orleans 
would be the first objective of the victorious British ar¬ 
mies and fleets. Major-General Andrew Jackson, who was 
in command of the federal forces throughout the southern 
states, began hastening thither with his army and sent ur¬ 
gent calls to Governor Early to rush the first class militia 
to Mobile with the utmost despatch. Col. Ezekiel Wim- 
berley’s regiment was detached from General Black- 
shear’s brigade and ordered to rendezvous at Fort Haw¬ 
kins. Arriving there with less than its full complement, 
the regiment was completed by recruits from the second 
class militia of Jasper and Morgan counties. 


190 ' 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The Seminole troubles now caused a change in the 
plans. General McIntosh immediately proceeded on the 
march but General Blackshear was ordered to march with 
Col. Wimberley’s regiment from Hartford together with 
other troops to the Flint river and after establishing a 
depot to keep McIntosh informed of any forces of hostile 
Indians. Meanwhile Major Blue of the 39th regiment 
with sixteen hundred mounted men, Choctaws, Chicka- 
saws and Creeks were on the march against the Seminoles. 
Likewise, Col. Benjamin Hawkins’ regiment of Creeks 
was ready to march against them, and should it be neces¬ 
sary, General McIntosh’s command was also to turn aside 
from the march to Mobile and aid in the extermination of 
the Seminoles. 

On December 19, 1814, General McIntosh, receiving 
more disturbing information by Indian runners of the ac¬ 
tivities of the British at Apalachicola, hastily sent a cour¬ 
ier to Blackshear informing him of the dangers the south¬ 
western part of Georgia was in, from not only the 
British and Indians but also the further fact that hun¬ 
dreds of negroes which had fled to the Seminoles were 
now being armed and drilled for the purpose of being 
turned loose on the state, and at the same time ordering 
Blackshear to rush his command with all speed to the con¬ 
fluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers. 

Although Blackshear’s forces were almost totally with¬ 
out any supplies, having less than a day’s rations on hand, 
the emergency was so great that he immediately took up 
the line of march at the same time sending requisitions 
to Governor Early to have supplies sent forward, in order 
to prevent a failure of the expedition. Food and munitions 
were sent on after Blackshear’s army as fast as they could 
be collected; but on January 3rd to add to the troubles, the 
flat which was being used to ferry them across the river at 
Hartford sank and it was some days before it could be put 
back into service. In the meantime Blackshear’s men were 
approaching the Flint river. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


191 


The arrival in the Gulf of Mexico of the British war 
fleet with one hundred, fifty boats and barges loaded with 
soldiers was now learned, its objective being New Or¬ 
leans, and Mobile its second place of attack. This made 
necessary that all available Georgia troops be rushed to 
that point. General McIntosh leaving the Seminole prob¬ 
lem for Blackshear to solve was now en route there. 

News arriving that Major Blue had defeated the Semi- 
noles to such an extent that extensive depredations against 
the Georgia frontiers were improbable, Governor Early 
ordered General Blackshear to change his destination 
and proceed as rapidly as possible towards Mobile and if 
possible overtake McIntosh’s army before its arrival 
there. Blackshear’s brigade, unable to carry its baggage 
through the old Indian trail to Fort Mitchell, had to turn 
about and march back to Hartford, thence strike the road 
leading through Twiggs county to Fort Hawkins. 

This, he had done and was already on the road to Fort 
Hawkins when Governor Early received the astounding 
intelligence that the British had landed troops on Cum¬ 
berland island and was ravaging that whole section of the 
state. The Seminoles were hurrying their bands to unite 
with them and hundreds of negroes were turning against 
their former masters and joining the British with the re¬ 
sultant horrors of the threatened race war. 

With the impending attack on Mobile, which, if success¬ 
ful, would let in the vast British armies reinforced by 
thousands of Indians for a triumphant march through 
Wilkinson county to the capital of the state; with the bulk 
of her military forces en route to Mobile to prevent this 
very threat; now from the southeast invaded by strong 
forces at her most vulnerable point, all Georgia knew 
that her crisis had arrived. 

Blackshear’s army including the Wilkinson county sol¬ 
diers had been inducted into the federal service and was 
under federal orders to proceed to Mobile, and, hence 


192 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Governor Early had no legal right to control his move¬ 
ments. However, this was the only available force that 
could be rushed to the coast to stop the invaders. The 
governor, therefore, on the 19th of January, sent a cour¬ 
ier to Blackshear urging him to change his course and 
hurry with all possible speed to the relief of the panic- 
stricken citizens of the coastal counties. Although it might 
mean a court-martial for disobedience of orders, Black- 
shear realized that the fate of Georgia might depend 
upon his decision, and, without a moment’s loss of time, 
he swung his army around and started on the road through 
Telfair to Darien, at the same time writing McIntosh of 
his reasons for deviating from the instructions to join him. 

Although with less than half the number of men the 
British had landed on the Georgia coast, badly supplied 
with arms, ammunition and provisions, Blackshear by 
forced marches, lost no time in rushing aid to that sec¬ 
tion. The road along which his army was marching, how¬ 
ever, was filled with refugees, fleeing into the distant parts 
of Georgia from the imminent perils, and his march was 
retarded by their baggage-laden wagons frequently block¬ 
ing the road. 

Never did an army march more eagerly than did Black- 
shear’s. They were going not merely to the defense of 
their fellow Georgians on the coast, but they were striking 
at a peril which threatened this section, their families, 
their homes. Blackshear’s despatches gives a vivid picture 
of the morale of his men as they marched for the coast, 
telling of how many of his men were ill and in the hos¬ 
pitals when the order came to rush to Darien, but in spite 
of this, large numbers of them overtook his army on the 
march and rejoined their comrades. 

On the day before Blackshear reached Darien, he re¬ 
ceived the news of Jackson’s victory at New Orleans. 
The arrival of Blackshear’s army together with this glo¬ 
rious news completely changed the aspect on this front. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


193 


Detachments of his command soon occupied Sapelo island. 
Others picketed the approaches to the British lines cutting 
off bands of negroes attempting to join the British. Be¬ 
fore Blackshear’s army could attack the enemy, the news 
of the treaty of Ghent arrived and hostilities ceased. 

(Documents and letters in Sketch of David Blackshear, 
Bench and Bar of Georgia, Vol. i, pages 411, et seq.: 
Pickett’s History of Alabama; Indian Affairs, Vol. 1 : Au¬ 
gusta Chronicle.) 


Chapter XXVI 


THE POST WAR BOOM 

T HE fragments of history picked up here and there de¬ 
scribing the conditions in Wilkinson County following 
the closing of the War of 1812, strikingly remind us of 
the conditions of our own times since the World War. 
There was a high price for anything the farmers of Wil¬ 
kinson had to sell. The demand for cotton to be exported 
to Europe was pouring a flood of gold into the county. 
Land values rose rapidly as all the available acreage was 
planted. The white population in 1820 was 5,144, and 
the black population 2,663. More and more slaves were 
brought in and sold to the planters at enormous prices, 
this requiring more land for them to cultivate. Rents for 
land were high where any could be found. 

The distance to the seaport was the main drawback. 
Savannah, one hundred fifty miles, and Augusta more than 
one hundred miles distant were considered the best mar¬ 
kets and in the falls when the cotton was ready to be sold, 
communities would co-operate in providing their carts 
and wagons and several would journey together to these 
towns carrying their produce. Some of the larger planters 
employed wagoners by the year, keeping them constantly 
on the road carrying their farm produce thither and mer¬ 
chandise back. Although the Oconee River could be used 
as a means of transportation, yet, it seems the planters 
preferred hauling their cotton overland. Direct connection 
with Savannah by an economical artery of commerce was 
now the urgent need of the day, and the best minds of 
Georgia were trying to solve the problem. In spite of the 
handicaps of transportation the wealth of the county rap¬ 
idly grew. • 

The growing wealth brought tremendous changes in 

(194) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


195 


the economic life of the county. More tradesmen came 
to make this their home. Irwinton was now growing rap¬ 
idly. There was a great demand for educated men and 
the opportunities for the young man have never been ex¬ 
ceeded in the history of the county. For those agriculturally 
minded, there was the demand for overseers for the large 
plantations; for those who craved military honors, there 
was the great military organization of the State which 
required well trained officers, with the constant prospect 
of the nation being engaged in some war on short notice; 
for the professional man there was the vast rapidly grow¬ 
ing hinterland which was demanding more and more law¬ 
yers, physicians, etc.; for the man who preferred the 
schoolroom, there was the clamor for teachers and private 
instructors by the wealthy planters who wanted to give 
their children an education; especially for the politically 
minded were opportunities such as have never been again. 
The rapid-fire creation of new counties throughout the 
State brought with it the necessity for new officers to gov¬ 
ern them, and the man wth the ability for leadership who 
arrived first could almost always count on a political ca¬ 
reer. Likewise there was a spirit of unrest among the set¬ 
tlers to a large extent, the craving for greener pastures, 
the urge to seek new lands. Thus, we find numbers of the 
earlier families of Wilkinson completely disappearing 
from the records here, only to re-appear in some other 
section of the State or in Alabama. If there is anything to 
the old adage, “Blood will tell,” it is well indicated by the 
numerous instances of striking successes made by these 
emigrants from Wilkinson. 

The post war boom brought other changes, the counter¬ 
part of which we have here to-day. There seems to have 
been almost a complete cessation of spiritual growth. Dur¬ 
ing the period when the Great Crisis was approaching and 
while the war was in progress the people were religious, 
but now that the war was over, the dangers had passed, 


196 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


wealth and good times were at hand there was a backslid¬ 
ing and falling from grace so pronounced, that the preach¬ 
ers were commenting on the “low state of religion and 
abounding iniquity.” (History of Georgia Baptists.) 

However, about 1819, the boom began to lessen and 
prices began to fall. It was during this year that the first 
steamboat began to ply the Oconee River, and with the 
growth of Darien into a prominent cotton market coupled 
with the cheaper transportation by water it was inevitable 
that the planters here should choose this method of getting 
their products to market. Cotton could now be shipped to 
Darien for $1.25 per bale. The advent of the steamboat 
thus gave to the farmers adjacent to the river great ad¬ 
vantages over those less favorably located. This, in a 
manner, greatly compensated for the falling prices. 

The day the first steamboat arrived, hundreds of people 
flocked to the landings to witness the sight. Recollections 
handed down to the writer state that Susan Hogan, sister 
of Elijah Hogan, later wife of William Smith, was present 
on this occasion and that the name of the first boat was 
“Lady Washington.” 


Chapter XXVII 


THE BUILDING OF IRWINTON 

I RWINTON, so named in honor of Governor Jared Ir¬ 
win, owes its origin as a town to the establishing of the 
county site here. Being at the crossing of the road leading 
from Savannah to Fort Hawkins, and that from Milledge- 
ville to the counties and towns lying to the southeast, to¬ 
gether with the principal reason of its being approximately 
in the geographical center of the county, it was thus logical 
that it should be placed in this immediate vicinity, as soon 
as the Twiggs county portion was cut off. 

Old hearsays handed down from the earlier settlers 
tell us that far back in the Indian days, the present site of 
the courthouse was an Indian trading post: that the 
Indians throughout middle Georgia flocked here to do 
their trading: that the monster gullies just east of the 
courthouse were caused by hundreds of horses of those 
coming hither to trade being led down the paths to the 
springs under the hill for water, thus making deep paths 
which became deeper with every rain. 

Information given by J. H. Hoover says that his 
father, Jack Hoover, came to Irwinton in 1810 and 
at that time there were only two small cross-road stores 
here, both of which specialized in groceries, and grog. 

For the first few years after the Legislature had desig¬ 
nated this immediate vicinity for the county site, the town 
evidently grew very slowly. No one knew exactly what 
lot would be chosen. Land values here no doubt grew with 
leaps and bounds and in all probability one of the reasons 
for the slowness of the commissioners to act, was the 
price asked for the land. Another reason affecting the se¬ 
lection might have been the war raging. The topography 
of this entire section, cut up as it was by hills and valleys, 

(197) 


198 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


rendered it impossible to find a lot sufficiently level to be 
suitable for a town site. Finally, after lengthy delays ac¬ 
cording to tradition, the lot owned by W. C. Pearson 
was selected. When it became known that this lot had 
been purchased, there was raised such a howl that al¬ 
though more than a century has elapsed, yet its echoes 
still reverberate, and the criticism heaped upon the com¬ 
missioners, linger in the traditions of the town. 

It seems that no lots had been sold up to 1814 and in 
the Georgia Journal of March 23, is found an advertise¬ 
ment stating the lots would be sold on May 5 th, the lots 
to be of one-half acre in size. The commissioners, after 
having set aside certain portions for the public buildings, 
advertised the lots for sale at public outcry. The results 
of the same seems to have been disappointing. One reason 
was, probably that the building lots as surveyed were not 
attractive for residences. Another reason was, that the 
outcome of the war was extremely in doubt, and the sale 
came off at a time when it looked as if Georgia was doomed 
to be overrun by the British. Insuficient funds were derived 
for the building of the courthouse and jail and neither 
seems to have been built until after 1818 when a special 
tax was levied on the property of the county for this 
purpose. 

In the meantime the town was being built largely upon 
the lot of land lying to the northeast of the lot chosen by 
the commissioners. 

Up to 1816 there was no municipal government at Ir- 
winton, but in December of that year the Legislature at¬ 
tempted to incorporate the town. However, the drafter 
of the bill overlooked the very material clause designating 
just how far the limits of the town should extend, and this 
was amended the following year specifying that the town 
should extend four hundred yards each way from the 
courthouse. 

The Legislature appointed as Irwinton’s first commis- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


199 


sioners: Solomon Worrell, David Rowland, Adam Hun¬ 
ter, Peter McArthur, and William Beck. An unusual fea¬ 
ture of the authorities granted these commissioners was 
the power and the duty to improve and repair the springs 
of the town. For violations of their ordinances, however, 
they were forbidden to inflict the penalty of corporal pun¬ 
ishment except on slaves and persons of color. 

The map of the town with the names of the streets 
seems to have been lost. But an old advertisement in the 
Georgia Journal gives the names of two of the streets and 
indicates that the street leading east, towards Balls Ferry 
was Washington street and the one leading southeast by 
the courthouse towards old Sumpterville in Laurens 
county was Sumpter street. 


Chapter XXVIII 


POLITICS, 1812 TO i860 

W ILKINSON County seems to have been so busy with 
other matters for a few years following the war that 
she had little time to devote to politics. Party lines were not 
so tightly drawn. However, in 1819, and following that 
year as the quarrels of the Clark and Troupe factions grew 
in virulence throughout the State, Wilkinson promptly 
lined up with John Clark and few counties in the State were 
more loyal to him than Wilkinson. Although there were 
quite a few Virginians in the county and practically all 
the lawyers of the county took sides with Troupe and 
in addition to that, the proximity of Troupe’s home 
a comparatively short distance southeast of this county 
in what was then Montgomery, yet, the Clark faction dom¬ 
inated the politics of the county at all elections. We are 
able to get a picture of the political situation here in 1825, 
the year the Governor of Georgia was first elected by 
popular vote. The returns of this election gave Clark 
the overwhelming majority of 716 as against 116 for 
Troupe. 

For several years thereafter whenever any test of 
strength came between these parties, Wilkinson was 
found in the Clark column. In the 1828 presidential elec¬ 
tion, Major John Hatcher, political leader and a staunch 
Clark supporter, threw the weight of his political 
strength in favor of Andrew Jackson, and Major Hatcher 
was chosen as one of Jackson’s electors. In the 1829 guber¬ 
natorial race, the Clark faction had no candidate, while 
the Troupe faction had two, Gilmer and Crawford, thus 
giving the Clark faction the balance of power. This was 
thrown to Gilmer, giving him 480 and Crawford only 
65. However, in the election held in 1831 Gilmer was 

(200) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


201 


opposed by Lumpkin, and Wilkinson polled the handsome 
vote of 696 for Lumpkin and only 119 for Gilmer. (It 
will be noted that John Clark having left the State, there 
was a change in the names of the parties, the Union party 
taking the place of the Clark party and Lumpkin ran on 
the Union ticket. The States Right Party now began to 
take the place of the Troupe party—the same parties 
under different names.) 

Among the strong supporters of the States Rights party 
we find W. F. Bond, Isaac Hall, and Charles C. Beall, 
being chosen to represent Wilkinson County in the State 
convention to nominate a candidate for Governor. 

The election for 1833 in Wilkinson was another victory 
for the Clarkites or Union party, although in the county 
offices there was no such issue made. The poll for Gov¬ 
ernor gave Lumpkin 686 and Crawford 172. 

As an indication of Wilkinson County’s rule to vote 
for the best qualified men regardless of party, in spite of 
the fact that Wilkinson voters were predominantly Clark¬ 
ites, yet all through these years we constantly find Samuel 
Beall, an ardent Troupeite and States Right advocate, 
being elected to the highest offices that the county could 
offer. 


THE KING-TROUPE SENATORIAL RACE OF I 844 

In 1844, the system of electing Senators was changed 
from one to a county, which had been the rule heretofore, 
so that Wilkinson and Laurens counties formed the 10th 
Senatorial district. Wesley King, of Wilkinson, nominee 
of the Whigs, was opposed by a son of Governor Troupe, 
nominee of the Democrats, from Laurens. The battle of 
Clark against Troupe now for the first time in a local 
office seems to have been waged. Although the leavening 
influence of strong States Right Democrats in Wilkinson 
had been winning large numbers of converts to this party, 
Beall having been elected to the Senate in 1841 running 


202 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


on a States Right platform, and Irwinton under the po¬ 
litical leadership of Samuel Beall having become a verit¬ 
able Democratic hot-bed, yet, when the real contest 
between the two old parties of Clark and Troupe was 
revived, the old Clark element rallied to the aid of King. 
Some of the echoes of this struggle are yet handed down. 
Many of the old Troupe adherents espoused the cause of 
Troupe. A strong element in the southern part of the 
county, the Carswells, the Stanleys, the Burkes, and others, 
swept that entire section for King. Though such a strong 
Democrat, yet Samuel Beall forgot party lines and in this 
contest took the field for his friend Wesley King, who was 
elected. (Accounts given the writer by I. S. King, a son of 
Wesley King). 

During the Forties the Whig party had many supporters 
in Wilkinson County. Joel Rivers seems to have been 
for a time the leader of the Whigs. Other leading Whigs 
were Alexander Nesbit, Josiah Whitehurst, Sr., Dave 
Pool, Tom Connelly, Jack Lavender, Sr., W. M. White¬ 
hurst, Joel Deese, and James Jackson. However, the 
county as a whole ordinarily leaned strongly to the Demo¬ 
cratic party. The American or Know Nothing party seems 
never to have gained extensive headway. 

CUMMING-CARSWELL SENATORIAL RACE 

The law in regard to the Senatorial districts of the State 
having been changed so that Wilkinson County elected 
her own Senator during the years following 1852, there 
arose a hot political race in 1854 between the Whigs and 
the Democrats. Eli Cumming was nominated by the Demo¬ 
crats. At first two candidates were opposing him, N. A. 
Carswell and James G. Ockington, all three leading at¬ 
torneys of Irwinton. With both these opponents in the race 
it soon appeared that Cumming would have an easy vic¬ 
tory. Ockington seems not to have had the extensive family 
connections that Carswell had, for the latter, in addition 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


203 


to his political strength at Irwinton and in the other sec¬ 
tions of the county could especially count upon his kins¬ 
men in Turkey Creek and High Hill Districts to carry 
that entire section almost unanimously for him. Therefore 
Ockington withdrew, throwing his strength to Carswell. 

A battle royal was now on. The Burkes, Carswells, 
Stanleys, Wesley King of the districts south of Big Sandy, 
Joel Deese of Lords, James Jackson of Passmore, the 
whole Rivers generation of Ramah, and other prominent 
Whigs arrayed their forces on the side of Carswell. 

On the other hand Samuel Beall, Ordinary of the 
County, now getting on in years sounded the political 
warwhoop of the Democrats and rallied them to the aid 
of Cumming. I. S. King, the son of Wesley King, a youth 
not yet in his teens but who was already a staunch Whig 
and a strong supporter of Carswell, volunteered his serv¬ 
ices in the campaign. To him was dedicated the duty of 
“getting Sam Beall’s goat.” The following song was 
memorized by him and he would stand near the Ordinary’s 
office each day while Beall was in and sing: 

“Carswell ate the watermelon; 

Cumming ate the rind: 

Carswell went to Milledgeville 
And left Cumming behind.” 

The result of the election, however, was in favor of 
Cumming. 

(Account given the writer by I. S. King). 

The storm over the Slavery question which was agi¬ 
tating the nation during the Fifties found its counterpart 
in Wilkinson County. There was a large portion of its 
citizens who owned no slaves and who were frequently ir¬ 
ritated by slave-owners, who were continuously enlarging 
their estates. Samuel Beall was still the veteran leader of 
the States Rights Democrats and under his leadership the 


204 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


small minority of those voting the Troupe ticket in former 
years were now frequently dominating the elections of 
the county. 

While the States Rights question was agitating the State, 
a convention was thus called at Irwinton in April, 1851, 
which was destined to be of state-wide interest. The reso¬ 
lutions prepared by the committee and adopted by the 
Convention so forcibly set forth the contentions of the 
party that when they were published county after county 
convention seized upon and adopted these resolutions. 
“The Wilkinson Resolutions” became the Battle-cry of 
the Democratic party of Georgia. 

THE WILKINSON RESOLUTIONS 

“As meetings are now being held for the appointment 
of delegates to the Convention on the 20th of May, we 
again lay before our readers, and commend to notice, the 
resolutions adopted in Wilkinson: 

' Resolved , That in the present eventful crisis of our country’s 
history, when all the tendencies of the Government are to the con¬ 
solidation of its powers, that it is essential to the preservation of the 
Constitution in its purity, and of the liberties it was designed to 
secure, that those great fundamental republican principles should 
be cherished and sustained which have conducted our country to 
the proud elevation which she now enjoys among the nations of 
the earth. 

' Resolved , That among these great fundamental republican 
principles we recognize as cardinal and paramount that the Fed¬ 
eral Government is a Government of limited powers, having no 
control over the States or the people thereof, except that expressly 
conceded, or that necessary to carry into effect conceded powers; 
that, as a necessary consequence, the States are sovereign as regards 
all the rights not there conceded; and that it becomes the people 
thereof at all hazards as they love the Constitution and the Union, 
vigilantly to guard and protect themselves against all encroachments 
upon those rights reserved to the States. 

' Resolved That these doctrines, taught and illustrated by Jef- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


205 


ferson and Madison—doctrines which gloriously triumphed in 
1800—have ever been, recognized and adopted by all real repub¬ 
licans; and that they are doctrines concerning which Troup men 
and Clark men, Union men and States Rights men, in Georgia, 
never heretofore differed. 

' Resolved, That these are now, as they have ever been, the doc¬ 
trines of the Democratic party; and we still hold their maintenance 
essential to the preservation of the Constitution, the Union, and the 
liberties bequeathed to us by our fathers; and that inasmuch as the 
States of the Southern section of this Union are in a doomed mi¬ 
nority and vitally interested in an institution secured by the Con¬ 
stitution, it is suicidal, especially on their part, not pertinaciously 
to adhere to it as the sheet-anchor of their safety. 

' Resolved, That upon the agitating question which now divides 
the North and the South, Georgia, in her sovereign capacity, by her 
Convention in December last, defined her position; that, as Geor¬ 
gians Loyal to the Expressed Will of the People , we acquiesce in 
that position, and pledge ourselves to sustain it, and to do all that 
we can to see that Georgia ‘takes no step backward.’ 

' Resolved, That we approve of the convention proposed to be 
held in Milledgeville bv the friends of republican principles, of 
democracy, and of the rights of the States, which can be no other 
than the friends of Southern Rights, for the purpose of nominating 
a candidate for Governor, and earnestly but respectfully suggest that 
the convention assemble on the last Wednesday in May next.” 

(Bench and Bar of Ga. p. 288-9). 

SLAVERY AND PLANTATIONS IN WILKINSON 

To a large extent slavery was responsible for the rapid 
development of Wilkinson’s agricultural industry. The 
vast yellow pine forests, which would now be worth untold 
riches were ruthlessly slaughtered to make way for the 
crops of cotton. The swamps were cleared and ditched 
for other crops all of which required much manual labor. 
Then, too, the cultivation, picking and preparing of cotton 
for market demanded more labor than the white popu¬ 
lation could furnish, in spite of the prolific families which 
were customary in those days. 


206 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


While there were a number' of planters in the county 
with large holdings of lands and slaves yet there were 
many small slave-owners with one or two slaves and own¬ 
ing comparatively small farms. There were many others 
who owned no slaves at all but cultivated their farms 
with their own labor or hired others to assist them. There 
were others who owned nothing, wanted nothing above 
a bare living who eked out their existence by occasionally 
grudgingly performing some task for their neighbors. It 
was this latter class which was called the “poor white 
trash.” 

As good times came, the slave-owning class rapidly 
grew larger especially among those with initiative. The 
need for more land among the plantation owners fre¬ 
quently caused friction, as the lands increased in value. 
Quarrels over boundaries would result and tradition says 
that frequently when some big slave-owner desired a farm 
owned by a less fortunate neighbor who possessed no 
slaves or few of them and who refused to sell his lands, 
the large planter would instruct his slaves to make life 
miserable for his neighbor. And whenever his neighbor 
should leave home for a short while, he would invariably 
return to find his hogs or cows had gotten out and were 
devouring his choicest crops. Other methods were some¬ 
times used to make him sell. Thus many were forced to 
sell and move away to other counties. The tendency was 
for the plantations to increase in size. Especially was this 
noticeable in the sections of the county where the soil 
was well adapted to cotton growing, as cotton could be 
raised by slave labor much more profitaby than other crops. 
In the sections where the soil was mostly sandy or other¬ 
wise unsuitable for cotton, the small land owners were 
allowed to own their land in peace. 

The large acreage of such soil in the county were mainly 
responsible for the slave population not increasing more 
rapidly. In 1830, the census showed 5,144 whites and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


207 


blacks or a little less than one slave to every two and one- 
half white persons. In 1854 there were only 374 slave¬ 
owners in the whole county divided.as follows: 

Irwinton District, 55; Bloodworth, 37; Passmore, 22; 
Lord’s, 52 ; Ramah, 64; Griffin, 31; High Hill, 75 ; Turkey 
Creek, 38. 

The demand for more and more slaves caused the prices 
for them to be raised by slave dealers. In the earlier years 
after the county was settled slaves would frequently run 
away and join the negro towns in Florida where they found 
refuge and protection among the Seminole Indians. Many 
lost their slaves in this manner. The ever-receding boun¬ 
dary line separating the Indians from Georgia helped 
solve this problem, and likewise the acquisition of Florida 
by the United States. There was another factor that af¬ 
fected the slave-owners here in a vast slave-thieving or¬ 
ganization known as Murrel’s Band with its ramifications 
extending into several states. Slaves would be stolen in one 
State and carried hundreds of miles to another and sold. 
An instance of this was Old Betty, who made her home 
on the lands of James T. Davidson, after emancipation. 
She would often recount how she had been stolen while 
a child by a robber band in Virginia and brought to Geor¬ 
gia and sold. Frequently slaves would be stolen here and 
carried away elsewhere. Near Pleasant Plains Church is 
an old cave which tradition whispers was used by a black 
sheep member of a prominent family in Wilkinson to con¬ 
ceal a slave he had stolen until he could have time to spirit 
him away. Another such member of a prominent family in 
Bloodworth district got a slave and trained him, according 
to the story, he would carry his slave to some distant town 
and sell him to some person and collect, after directing his 
slave how to escape and to rejoin him in some other distant 
place. The slave was loyal and would always follow his 
master’s instructions, while his purchaser would mourn the 
loss of a prize slave. The process of sale and delivery would 


208 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


be repeated in some other town and another purchaser 
would mourn. The slave was proving a veritable gold mine 
until heavy drinking caused his trainer to talk too much, 
and the trickster had to shift his operations. This time his 
own father began to lose negroes and suspicion was cast 
on a neighbor who was indicted and brought to trial in 
the Superior Court of Wilkinson County. The State in¬ 
troduced a part of its witnesses but soon the evidence 
took an astounding turn. It began to be forcibly brought 
out that the man indicted was innocent but that there were 
strong reasons to believe the guilty man was none other 
than the slave-owner’s son. At the request of the father 
a verdict of not guilty was returned against the indicted 
man and it required much effort on his part to prevent 
the conviction of his own son. 

As a rule the slaves were treated with great considera¬ 
tion in this county. Occasionally a master would punish his 
slaves brutally but public opinion always frowned upon 
it with such force that the man who mistreated his slaves 
continuously was practically ostracised by his neighbors. 

It was nothing uncommon for a slave-owner to desire 
that at his death for his slaves be set free. The laws of 
Georgia, however, discouraged the freeing of slaves on 
account of the fact that so many were unable to make 
their own living, and their upkeep would constitute a 
problem for the State and county to solve. In 1821, Zadock 
Simmons in his will provided that his executors should 
transport his slaves to the Coast of Africa and there set 
them free. 

Slaves as a rule were not regarded by their owners as 
mere chattels but as human beings. Those who manifested 
religious tendencies were permitted to attend and join, 
their master’s churches. Slave galleries were built in many 
houses of worship among these being Big Sandy and Irwin- 
ton churches. The Irwinton slave gallery is still to be seen. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


209 


Separate churches for the two races were unknown until 
after emancipation. 

Visiting of slaves belonging to neighboring plantations 
was not prohibited. It was no uncommon occurrence for 
some dark swain to become smitten by the charms of some 
dusky damsel. He then had two problems on his hand; 
first, to win the coy maiden’s heart; second, to sing her 
praises to his master so incessantly as to induce him to 
purchase her. He would tell his master how hard he would 
work to help make money to pay for her; how hard she 
would also work. He would appeal to his master’s cupidity 
by picturing to him a yard full of little slaves. 

Sometimes, however, there would be insurmountable 
obstacles that prevented the union of both husband and 
wife on one plantation. An instance of this occurred when 
Bennett Whipple’s Buck was surreptitiously wedded to 
Allen Davidson’s cook, Hannah. For some reason the 
couple could not be united. Buck, however, solved the 
problem. He knew of a gully on the Davidson plantation 
near Hannah’s cabin. One night he slipped away from 
the Whipple plantation carrying with him a hoe. At the 
head of the gully he digged a cave in such a manner that 
it could not be detected. Here for weeks he made his home, 
Hannah providing him with food purloined from her 
master’s table. Finally the secret leaked out and Hannah’s 
master learning of Buck’s whereabouts sent him back 
home. 

The growing number of slaves in the county was an 
increasing problem to the citizens. It was necessary to 
have patrols in every militia district. The great responsi¬ 
bility resting on the patrol commissioners caused the 
Grand Jury of 1855 as ^ U such citizens may be selected 
as we have reason to believe feel the responsibility of the 
trust and will try to execute it faithfully.” Slaves were 
forbidden to be abroad at night without a pass and those 
caught without one were subject to be whipped. 


210 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The following persons were appointed Commissioners 
of Patrols for the year 1856: 

Dr. Flemister, J. R. Bragg, V. W. Tharp, Ramah Dis¬ 
trict; G. B. Burney, J. C. Brown, E. Cumming, Irwinton 
District; J. R. Billue, E. Green, Wiley Fordham, Griffin 
District; W. Dickson, James Lord, Allen Chambers, 
Lord’s District; W. W. Lee, Nimrod Burke, Wyatt Me¬ 
redith, Turkey Creek District; L. Clay, James Jackson, 
S. J. Stubbs, Fork District; I. T. Hughs, D. W. Smith, 
L. Asbell, High Hill District; W. L. John, John Eady, 
G. Jones, Bloodworth District. 

The following old negro tune evidently originated dur¬ 
ing these days: 

“Run, nigger, run, de patterol ’1 ketch you 
Don’t ketch me, but ketch dat nigger behind dat tree 
He stole money, I stole none, 

Put him in de chain gang jest for fun.” 

THE PUBLIC ROADS 

This was the time when the roads were kept up by 
the work of the citizens. Each man between the ages of 
sixteen and fifty years of age was required to respond to 
the summons of the road overseers to meet on a certain 
day and perform such work as was necessary to keep the 
roads in repair. Three Commissioners were appointed 
for each militia district, and it was their duty to assign 
the citizens to work on certain portions of the roads, and 
to appoint overseers for each section. 

The following persons were appointed Commissioners 
of Roads for the year 1856: 

Ramah District: Solomon Arnold, H. M. Cook, John 
King; Irwinton District: Jesse B. Carroll, E. J. Gilbert, 
James Branan; Griffin District: Joel J. Loftin, T. J. Hol¬ 
liman, James Hartley; Lord’s District: W. Ussery, J. A. 
Dean, Joel Deese; Turkey Creek, Eli Sears, Allen Dav- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


211 


idson, John Burke; Fork District: L. Clay, Bryant O’- 
Banon, John Hatcher; High Hill District: Nelson Stuck¬ 
ey, J. F. Burney, N. W. Hughes; Bloodworth District: 
D. M. Cook, J. S. Ethridge, P. T. Youngblood. 

THE COURTHOUSE RECORDS OF WILKINSON COUNTY 

It is remarkable that there are as many records of 
Wilkinson County still in existence when we consider the 
number of times the courthouse has been destroyed. Fol¬ 
lowing the severing of Twiggs County in 1809, the old rec¬ 
ords were removed to Irwinton, but for ten years there 
was no permanent courthouse in which to store these, and 
besides that, what records were kept were largely in books 
which easily came apart as evidenced by some of the old 
fragments seen by the writer. The records of Estates seem 
to have been kept at some place other than the courthouse 
for these escaped the fire of 1828, which destroyed the 
courthouse, although all the records in the other offices 
were burned. The same thing happened in 1854, when 
again the courthouse burned and the greater portion of 
all other records with the exception of those of the Ordi¬ 
nary’s office was lost. Samuel Beall was Ordinary at the 
latter time and probably kept these records in his home. 
In 1864, when Sherman’s troops were approaching, Judge 
Frank Chambers and Dr. Fleetwood got wagons and 
removed all the records in the courthouse to Big Sandy 
swamp and buried them. In 1924, when the courthouse 
burned, the vaults in the Clerk’s and Ordinary’s offices 
saved the most of the more valuable records. However, 
many valuable ones which were not in the vaults were 
destroyed. 

Following the fire of 1854, there was a several months 
delay in building a new one. Provision for building it had 
to be made by the levying of taxes by the Inferior Court. 
The question came up before the Grand Jury of April, 
1854, as to whether it should be rebuilt that year. The 
majority of that body was opposed to it but the minority 


212 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


brought in a minority report recommending it be built 
and pursuant to this a two-story, frame building was 
erected. 

For several years after Sherman’s destruction, court was 
held in some rooms rented for the purpose. However, 
about 1870, while C. M. Lindsey was Ordinary, a brick 
building was erected, Pat Ward, “the Irishman,” being 
the builder. A tradition is handed down that when he was 
building it, whiskey was being sold at Irwinton and getting 
a quart of the finest Bourbon, he incased it in a hidden 
spot in the masonry, saying that come what would, Irwin¬ 
ton should not be tee-totally dry. Following the fire of 
1924, while the old walls were being torn down, a thor¬ 
ough search was made by some thirsty souls but only a 
broken bottle was found after the walls fell. 


Chapter XXIX 


IMPORTANT EVENTS 

D ECREASE in population.—It will be noted that there 
is a shrinkage in the population of Wilkinson between 
the Census of 1820 and that of 1830, the population in 
1830 being 4,785 whites and 1,887 negroes. In all prob¬ 
ability this was due to the hegira to the new Indian lands 
distributed during these years, which had been obtained 
from the Indians. The great drop in the slave population 
indicates that the emigration was not limited to those 
owning no slaves but including all classes. 

Early Postoffices. The first post office in the county 
was established at Irwinton and for many years the mail 
was sent here once a week from Milledgeville. However, 
in the early Eighteen Twenties a new postoffiice, Ramah, 
located at the forks of the road just above Ramah church 
was established. In 1828 another postoffice was created at 
Cool Spring, the present site of Allentown. Mail was de¬ 
livered once a week from Milledgeville. 

The Great Fire of 1831. On October 2, 1831, fire 
broke out in Irwinton burning several of the best buildings 
in the town, including the tavern, stores, etc. The loss fell 
chiefly upon Samuel Beall and Charles C. Beall, estimated 
at ten thousand dollars, a tremendous amount in that day. 
(Recorder Oct. 6 , 1831.) 

Early Members of the Bar. Among the members of 
the bar living at Irwinton between 1820 and 1830 were: 
Robert Hatcher, James P. H. Campbell, John S. Barry 
and Seaborn Delk. However, this was the day of the cir¬ 
cuit rider and many other attorneys living in other towns 
would ride the circuit and practice here. The first lawyer 
of which we have any record of living in Irwinton was 
Hiram Starr. 


(213) 


214 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


John Richard Wiggins, a lawyer of Irwinton, (a grad¬ 
uate of the University of Georgia) was murdered in 1834 
while away on a trip. Resolutions were passed that the 
members of the Ocmulgee Bar should wear crepe for a 
month in honor of his memory. 

The Irwinton lawyers in 1856 were: James C. Bower, 
N. A. Carswell, Arthur E. Cochran, Eleazer Cummings 
and M. N. Murphy. 

LaFayette's Visit. The much heralded.coming of La- 
Fayette to Milledgeville in 1825 was a red letter day for 
the citizens of Wilkinson county. Within her borders still 
lived at that time twenty-five or thirty of the Veterans of 
the Revolution, among whom were Major John Hatcher, 
John Ussery, Jesse Vaughn, Solomon Wright, William 
Statham, Hardy Stewart, Brice Ragan, John Nunn, Wil¬ 
liam Lindsey, William Lord, Hansell Lasseter, William 
Kemp, Spencer Douglas, Nathaniel Cannon, Peter 
Buckles, Lemuel Burkett, Ezekiel Boggs, John Bowen, 
William Bivins, Cornelius Bachelor, Robert Barnett, 
Henry Adkerson, Robert Rozar, John Tomberlin and 
others. These grizzled veterans, who had fought in the 
battles of the Revolution, some of whom had perhaps 
fought under the command of the great Frenchman, hear¬ 
ing of his coming doubtless would have been willing to 
sacrifice the remainder of their days for one last oppor¬ 
tunity to grasp his hand. 

Weeks before the arrival of the noble Frenchman, 
there came the announcement from the Governor that the 
militia of the state would be reviewed by LaFayette. And 
if Wilkinson had reason to be proud of any one thing, it 
was her splendid military companies. In that day when the 
very life of Georgia, so often threatened by foreign foes 
depended upon the training of her soldiers, no county 
had a better trained regiment than did Wilkinson. The 
traditions of the magnificent military figures and bearings 
of her military officers are handed down even to this day. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


215 


I. S. King, who recently died at a very advanced age, gives 
the account as related to him by his father, Senator 
Wesley King, to the effect that Sam Beall made the most 
commanding appearance of any officer who had ever been 
seen on the regimental drill grounds of Wilkinson county. 
Stephen F. Miller in his Bench and Bar of Georgia tells 
of Col. Seaborn Delk who was colonel of the Wilkinson 
County Regiment. He also writes of the handsome mili¬ 
tary figure of Lieut. Col. John S. Barry, of Irwinton. 

With the patriotic pride in the military companies and 
the desire for Wilkinson not to be excelled in the showing 
made at Milledgeville, we can imagine that great prepara¬ 
tions were going on in Wilkinson county. The militiamen 
were called to frequent, intensive drills so that each man 
would be perfect; the new uniforms for both men and 
officers had to be arranged. 

Miller tells us how the great LaFayette embraced one 
after another the veterans of the Revolution, how down 
the lines of the soldiers he walked, shaking hands with 
each man, and complimenting the splendid appearance of 
the military companies. 

The Death of LaFayette. On the Fourth of July 
celebration at Irwinton following the death of LaFayette 
in 1834, as shown by a clipping from the Georgia Journal, 
“a respectable number of the citizens of Wilkinson County 
assembled at the courthouse in Irwinton, to make suitable 
arrangements for testifying their respect for the memory 
of the illustrious LaFayette,” and it was 

Resolved: That it is with sincere regret we learn the il¬ 
lustrious LaFayette, the friend of humanity and liberty, 
has recently departed this life. 

Resolved : That as a tribute of respect due to the mem¬ 
ory of the friend and associate of Washington, the Fa¬ 
ther of Our Country, the citizens of Wilkinson County be 
respectfully requested to assume the ordinary badge of 
mourning for the space of thirty days. 


216 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Jesse Vaughn’s Buried Jug of Gold. Jesse Vaughn, 
the grandfather of J. W. Vaughn and a veteran of the 
Revolution, originally came from Burke County, although 
he may have lived in Washington County, as the Vaughn 
family traditions tell of Indian hunters with their dogs be¬ 
ing seen and heard across the Oconee River on the Wil¬ 
kinson side. Jesse amassed great wealth in lands and 
money, at one time owning all the land from the B. H. 
Jackson Place to Commissioner Creek. It is said that 
he had two buckskins made into a sack in which he 
kept his gold and silver but after his wife’s death he got 
an earthern jug, filled it to the neck with water and then 
struck the neck so that it would break off smooth and he 
could cover it with a coffee pot lid. He is thought to have 
put his gold in this jug and buried it, as one day he called 
“Blind Alec” one of his slaves who was blind and had him 
to take the jug and a shovel to a spot and bury the jug. 

A few years later Vaughn was taken sick and called his 
son, James, telling him he had something to say to him, 
but before he could do so he lapsed into unconsciousness 
from which he never recovered, dying not long after¬ 
wards. Search was made and the sack made of buckskins 
was found empty. “Blind Alec” told what he knew of the 
burial of the jug, but all he knew was that they had gone 
through a plum orchard, the thorns having stuck in him as 
they went along. A most diligent search was made but the 
gold could not be found. Parties with a “Spanish Needle” 
searched for it as late as 1925 but the secret hiding place 
of Jesse Vaughn’s jug of gold is still an unsolved mystery. 

James M. Smith, Governor of Georgia in 1872, was 
born and lived in Wilkinson County until he was twelve 
years of age on lands now owned by W. T. Wall. 

Early Fruit Orchards. The older citizens frequently 
tell of the excellent fruits that grew in Wilkinson 
County in its early days, the finest pears, May, June, 
Horse, and Winter apples; big red Indian Peach, the old 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


217 


Native Georgia Peach, a large juicy, clingstone variety 
with red and white splotches. Nothing seems to have been 
known of grafting fruit trees until 1855 when some men 
came through the county introducing the White English 
peach and while at the plantation of J. G. Hogan grafted 
a number of trees for him. 

The First Physician of which we have any record 
was Dr. Henry Winderweedle, who kept an apothecary 
shop where Rev. T. E. Farmer now lives. Tradition says 
that he brought the first Bermuda grass to Wilkinson 
County. 


Chapter XXX 


THE CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILROAD 

T HE Central of Georgia Railroad was largely respon¬ 
sible for the building of the towns along its right of 
way and for much of the prosperity during the prosperous 
eras of Wilkinson. It has done much in recent years to up¬ 
build the county. An Agricultural Agent is employed who 
works among the farmers, encouraging them in stock rais¬ 
ing enterprises and in rebuliding worn out soils, besides 
giving those interested practical advice on agricultural 
questions. Greatest of all though, is the effort put forth by 
this company in developing the vast kaolin, fuller’s earth, 
bauxite and other mineral resources of the county. The 
company spends a large sum of money each year advertis¬ 
ing the wonderful possibilities of this section. 

On the staff of the industrial development is a geo¬ 
logist and a ceramic engineer whose duties are to investi¬ 
gate the various mineral deposits near its line, and assist 
the owners in getting desirable purchasers interested. The 
thousands of dollars spent in developing the resources of 
the county each year in this manner have already proved 
very profitable to the county. The building of the Georgia 
White Brick Company at Gordon as a result of the rail¬ 
road’s extensive advertising, was followed by a visit here 
of the members of the American Ceramic Society, and now 
the Harbison-Walker Refractories Company develop¬ 
ment of their deposits at Gordon, is due to this railroad’s 
activities. In addition to these, the promising growth of 
manufacturing establishments among the vast clay fields 
of this county may have been the means of attracting the 
attention of the Georgia Power Company and inducing 
that corporation to extend its lines through the section. 
It is likewise improbable that the natural gas line which is 

(218) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


219 


soon expected to arrive would be run through this county 
except for the favorable publicity given it by this railroad. 
Therefore, if the rapid growth of industries in this county 
which appears imminent, materializes, it will be due to 
the policy of this road. 

THE BUILDING OF THE CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILROAD* 

Throughout all these years before the advent of the 
railroad the need for cheap transportation was continu¬ 
ing to grow as the volume of products increased. The 
Darien market which developed rapidly after the steam¬ 
boat was put on the Oconee helped much but was not alto¬ 
gether satisfactory. A direct connection with Savannah 
seemed to be the crying need of the day. During the early 
Eighteen Twenties, the inland canal idea seemed to be the 
only feasible plan with which to connect the Savannah 
market with the fertile plantations of Middle Georgia. 
Dreams of a network of canals extending into all Georgia 
took strong hold of the minds of the members of the 
Georgia Legislature. An act was passed in 1824 creating a 
Board of Public Works with instructions to survey a route 
for a canal to come from Savannah to the central part of 
Georgia and from here to the Tennessee River, where di¬ 
rect connection with the Mississippi River could be had. 
The Board began to function and a route from Savannah 
to the Altamaha River was selected, and the work on it 
begun. This route was not only a comparatively short one 
but would enable the boats plying the Oconee and Ocmul- 
gee to unload their freight into the canal barges which 
would carry it on to Savannah. 

Before this canal could be completed, however, the 
adapting of the steam engine to use on railroads was 
brought about and as it proved a success in those places 
where it was tried, the Georgia Legislature was quick 
to see its advantages over the slow canal transportation. 
The Central of Georgia Railroad was the result. Numer¬ 
ous surveys were made through this section before the 


220 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


building crews arrived. The need for avoiding steep 
grades and the lack of facilities for cutting through hills 
made necessary the selection of as level a route as pos¬ 
sible. One survey crossed the Oconee near Dublin and 
thence followed the valley of Turkey Creek. Another one 
followed Big Sandy Creek through this county. The one 
selected by the Engineering Department is traced in their 
report of October 31st, 1838, furnished the writer by 
President J. J. Pelley in 1927, as follows: 

“To W. W. Gordon, President: 

“We reach the Oconee River near a spot called ‘Rag- 
point’ about three miles above the mouth of Commission¬ 
er Creek and sixteen or eighteen miles below Milledge- 
ville. The River Swamp is here about one mile wide on the 
east and two miles on the west side—for this distance it 
will be most safe and economical to support the grade by 
strong trestle work; and if hereafter it should be deemed 
expedient to substitute an embankment through the whole 
or any part of the swamp, the road will afford the means 
of doing it at a comparatively small cost. The river will be 
crossed by a bridge 200 feet in length, supported by stone 
abutments and a pier in the centre. 

“The line having passed the river follows the valley of 
Commissioner Creek, which affords a very favorable 
route. The foundation in the creek swamp wherever we 
touch it, is firm. The line may be located with very easy 
grades and gentle curves, for the distance of twenty-seven 
miles up this creek ; at this point and thence to the summit 
(5 miles) the country is similar to that described on Sand 
Hill Creek.” 

While the first rail of this line was laid in Savannah in 
1835, it was some years before the rails were laid through 
Wilkinson. In November, 1840, the Engineering Depart¬ 
ment reported “the final and complete location of the 
road to the Ocmulgee at Macon.” The completion of the 
road and the operation of through trains began in 1843. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


221 


The building of this road was, indeed, an epoch in the 
history of Wilkinson County. With direct and cheap 
transportation of her products to market, the plantations 
here had a vast advantage over the less favored sections. 
Land values increased rapidly. The next twenty years 
might truly be termed “The Golden Era of Wilkinson 
County” for never before nor since has the wealth of the 
county equaled what it was during this period. 

THE GROWTH OF TOWNS ALONG THE RIGHT OF WAY 

When the road was being surveyed, there was no desire 
among the citizens of Irwinton for the road to be run 
through the town. Tradition says that they were sure the 
trains would run over all their chickens and children and 
for that reason refused to consider any nearer approach 
than where it was located. Stations were originally estab¬ 
lished at Emmitt, “15,” Wriley “16,” Gordon “17,” these 
stations being known by numbers rather than names, and 
it is probable that the location of these stopping points 
was not selected with a view of their growing into towns. 

Toomsboro. Originally there was no station here, but it 
was at Emmitt, one and one-half miles distant to the east. 
Emmitt was at the home of Thomas McIntyre, a native of 
Ireland who had come as an assistant of his uncle, one of 
the contractors who had built the road through this sec¬ 
tion, and later bought the land at Emmett, and built his 
home there. In 1849, however, he was accidentally killed 
while repairing the Oconee River bridge. His widow, 
whose maiden name was Sarah Crowell Floyd, of Wash¬ 
ington County, continued to live with their two children, 
Stephen F. and —-—, at Emmitt. 

Wriley “16”. At this time Wriley was the nearest 
point to Irwinton and was probably the biggest shipping 
point in the county being patronized by the town of Ir¬ 
winton. Old-timers say that Leroy Fleetwood owned all 
the land for a great distance all around Wriley, and re¬ 
fused to sell any to the railroad for a warehouse. 



222 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The company made him its agent there and he used his 
store as the depot. The narrative goes on to say that he in¬ 
sisted on selling whiskey at his place of business in spite of 
the protests of the officials of the railroad company, think¬ 
ing that he was so strongly intrenched by owning all the 
land that the railroad company was obliged to continue 
to use his store as a depot. Whereupon the company put 
into effect some sweeping changes. First a tract of one 
hundred two and one-fourth acres of land was purchased 
from M. N. Murphy in 1856 and the house now occupied 
by Henry Price, Jr., was built. A depot was erected. It was 
also desired to move the station at Emmitt to the present 
Toomsboro. A trade was made with Mrs. McIntyre for 
her lands at Emmitt, giving her the dwelling at McIntyre, 
making her the agent for the new depot, and naming the 
station McIntyre. The agency at Wriley was abandoned, 
and the station at Emmitt was moved to Toomsboro. 

Gordon was named in honor of W. W. Gordon, the 
first president of the road. It is told that when the 
route was surveyed, Jackson Leslie owned the land where 
Gordon now is, his home being located where Ed Ward’s 
house now stands, but the prospect of all his cattle and 
domestic animals being killed by the trains and the injury 
to his lands, was so dismaying to him that he sold his 
plantation to David Solomon, who built his home which 
is now the Gordon Hotel. The Gordon and Covington 
branch of the road was begun in 1851. 

During the War Between the States, no railroad in the 
south was more patriotic than the Central. And, being in 
the path of Sherman’s army in its march to the sea, the 
Federal forces took a bitter revenge for the loyalty of this 
road by tearing up its trackage for the greater part of its 
length. 

No sooner had the invader departed, however, than 
the officials of the road began the work of rebuilding it 
and putting it in condition to help in restoring the losses 
inflicted by the enemy upon the prostrate South. 


Chapter XXXI 


WAR CLOUDS OF i860 

T HE year i860 seems to have found Wilkinson County 
with no political leader who stood head and shoulders 
above the others. Sam Beall had gone to his reward three 
years prior. There were several outstanding men in the 
county who aspired to leadership, yet each one’s brilliancy 
seemed to have shed luster upon the others. There were 
Dr. R. J. Cochran, W. O. Beall, Thomas N. Beall, N. A. 
Carswell, Jonathan Rivers, Eli Cumming, Rollin Stanley, 
W. M. Whitehurst and others. Never in her history has 
Wilkinson County possessed such an array of capable men. 

The questions of States Rights and slavery which were 
disturbing the Union in i860 were also agitating the citi¬ 
zens of Wilkinson County. The nomination of Lincoln had 
the effect of coalescing the bulk of the Whigs with the 
Democrats and a mass meeting was called at Irwinton fol¬ 
lowing the nomination of the Democratic candidates, re¬ 
sults of which are shown in the following: 

“At a meeting of the Democratic Party of Wilkinson 
County, Judge A. Hall in the Chair, the following resolu¬ 
tions were unanimously passed, viz: Resolved, that we 
heartily agree and adopt the platform laid down by the 
majority of the Committee on resolutions at the Charles¬ 
ton Convention and afterwards adopted by the National 
Democratic Convention at Baltimore. 

Resolved, that we hail with unbounded gratification the 
nomination of Breckenridge and Lane and hereby pledge 
them our united support. 

On motion J. C. Bower, W. O. Beall, B. O’Banion, Dr. 
Wm. Taylor, T. LI. Parker, M. M. Bloodworth, Daniel 
Hudson, H. A. Solomon, J. B. Pittman, E. E. Kemp, W. 
A. Hall, J. L. Harvill, W. W. Lee, E. J. Rozar, George 

(223) 


224 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Payne and E. Green were appointed to represent this 
county in the Convention at Milledgeville on the 8th inst. 

On Motion the Chair was requested to appoint an Ex¬ 
ecutive Committee of two from each district. 

(Clipping from Macon Telegraph, August, i860.) 

The defeat of the Democratic candidates for President 
was a most bitter disappointment to the citizens of the 
county. Quickly on the heels of this came the secession of 
the neighboring State of South Carolina from the Union. 
Many citizens of Wilkinson County were either from 
South Carolina or were the sons or daughters of South 
Carolinians. Members wanted Georgia to follow the lead 
of that State, and when the convention was called to be 
held at Milledgeville in January of 1861, to determine this 
question, and all the counties were ordered to elect dele¬ 
gates, the storm broke in Wilkinson. The traditions of the 
bitterness engendered in this campaign is still handed 
down. The question, To Secede or Not To Secede, was the 
question of the hour. Life-long friends, members of the 
same family, were often found on opposite sides of this 

question. W. M. Whitehurst and - 

were the Secession candidates, while N. A. Carswell and 
Dr. R. J. Cochran championed the cause of the Union and 
became Anti-secession candidates for the places of dele¬ 
gates to the Convention, this county being entitled to two. 
Barbecues and mass-meetings were called in every district 
and speeches by men of state-wide fame both pro and con 
were made. A gem from a speech made by Dr. Cochran, 
pleading for the Union, still lingers in the memory of S. A. 
Hatfield, now eighty-four years old: “An infant must be' 
nurtured: And a nation in its infancy must not be hastily 
condemned!” 

Mrs. Sarah Allen, widow of Willis Allen, a few years 
ago, (though near ninety years of age,') recounted to the 
compiler her recollection of an occasion when two speakers 
spoke at Allentown to a large audience. She stated that 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


225 


she heard one boast he was going to eat the other alive, 
and a rejoinder from his opponent said, “If you do you 
will have more brains in your stomach than you ever had 
in your head.” 

Turkey Creek district in which Allentown was located 
was strongly Union. Those leading the fight against se¬ 
cession were the Burkes, Carswells, Davidsons and Allens. 

Irwinton district was likewise strongly Union. 

In High Hill, the Ridleys, Hogans, Isaac Hall, the Bul¬ 
locks, Kings, and others were for remaining in the Union 
while L. S. Jenkins, famous school teacher, and the Porters 
were leading the contest for secession. 

In Lord’s District a bitter fight was raging. On the 
Union side were William Lord, James Lord, James Stev¬ 
ens, Russell Thompson and Buck Dixon. 

Leading the secession movement were Bunk McGowan, 
Noah McGowan, and others. At the election which was 
held at Deese Store, where J. D. Dixon now lives, Bunk, 
a giant in stature and strength mounted a soap box and in 
a voice that roared like a lion said “Come on boys and 
vote the secession ticket! Me and Tony and Todd (his 
small sons) can whip every dam Yankee that comes on 
southern soil.” 

(A year or two ago later, news came to Wilkinson 
County that a battle was imminent in which the Wilkin¬ 
son County soldiers would be in the hottest part. A crowd 
of old men gathered at Toomsboro to go to the scene of 
battle and nurse their sons, in case of wounds. Among 
these were James Lord, Buck Dixon, James Stevens, and 
Russell Thompson. Some wag exclaimed, “Send for Bunk 
McGowan and Tony and Todd!” Bunk was exempt from 
military service on account of age, but when someone told 
him what had been said he swore a mighty oath and had 
not his brother Noah forcibly held him he would have 
climbed aboard the train to go to the front. (Information 
given by James E. Lord.) 


226 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The result of the election was a victory for Carswell 
and Cochran. Wilkinson thus went on record as opposing 
secession. 


Chapter XXXII 


THE WILKINSON MILITIA AT THE 

OUTBREAK OF THE WAR 

T HE outbreak of the war found the militia of Wilkin¬ 
son poorly organized and disciplined. The years of 
peace and safety from Indian attacks had eliminated the 
necessity for well disciplined military forces. For this 
reason the citizens had grown careless in attending drills 
required by law. The ranking military figure in the county 
in 1861 was J. Bloodworth, Major of what was known as 
the Upper Battalion, the Lower Battalion being com¬ 
manded by Major John J. Todd. The following copies of 
letters found in the State Department of Archives and 
History throw light on the militia organizations in the 
various districts: 


“State of Georgia, Wilkinson County 
September 19th, 1861. 

To His Excellency, Joseph E. Brown, Governor and 
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of this 
State and of the Militia Thereof, Greeting: 

Sir, in obedience to the proclamations sent forth in the 
Southern Federal Union and the understanding I have of 
the same I proceed to make a report of the Militia of 
said County so far as I have been able to procure (viz.) 
from the 327th Dist. G. M. Capt. W. H. Price Nos. 80; 
from the 331 Dist., Capt. Wm. B. Ryle Nos. 131; from 
the 329 Dist., John H. Hatcher reported as newly elected 
Capt. Nos. 24; from the 330 Dist., a list numbering 90, 
C. D. Smith Capt.; and from the 352d Dist., G. M. No. 
110 L. A. Hall, Capt.; making in all reported 435 effective 


(227) 


228 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


men, the other three Districts having failed or neglected 
to report all of which is respectfully transmitted to his 
Excellency. 

J. Bloodworth, Major. 

“I will now state some facts to your Excellency with 
fegard to the Militia from the fact that about the time 
I may think the several Districts are organized some Cap¬ 
tain will resign or volunteer. And again, we have been 
without a colonel in this Regiment for a number of years 
and that brings about a great difficulty in organizing the 
Militia. Another difficulty our Districts are tactics that is 
without Military Books of any kind and men elected find 
themselves inadequate to the task of drilling the men 
without some form or guide to direct them which I think 
is the prime cause of their backing out so soon after 
elected. I think it would be well for the proper authority 
to see that those difficulties are supplied. I should be glad 
that a Colonel was elected in this regiment as I am now 
close on to fifty-six years old and am the only officer acting 
as Major in the regiment and of course my age warrants 
my leaving the office but patriotism does not until the 
proper arrangements can be made if made speedily. 

Yours most respectfully, 

J. Bloodworth. 

“P. S.—Since writing the above and foregoing report 
the Captain newly appointed in the 328 Dist. G. M. John 
J. Shepherd came in with his report from said District 
98 effective men making an aggregate of 533 men two 
Districts yet untold. 

J. B ” 

Irwinton, May 15th, 1862. 
“To Henry C. Wayne, A. G., of the State of Georgia: 

Dear Sir: This will inform you of the date of my Com¬ 
mission as Major of the Lower Battalion of Wilkinson 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


229 


County. Also the date of the-My Commission is 

dated March the 3rd 1862. I was sworn in March 21st 
1862. My Postoffice is Irwinton. 

Yours etc., 

John J. Todd.” 

Stephensville, Ga., May 15th, 1862. 
“To H. C. Wayne, Adjutant and Inspector General: 

In obedience to Genl. orders No. 8 I am only Commis¬ 
sioned Officer of the 332 Company Dist. G. M. in Wil¬ 
kinson County Rank 1st Lieut, date of Commission 24 
day of May, 1861. 

Yours respectfully, 

Geo. W. Payne, Lieut.” 
CO. F 3rd GEORGIA 

The result of the Secession Convention is only too well 
known. From the beginning Carswell and Cochran rec¬ 
ognized the fact that they were battling against over¬ 
whelming odds, but continued the contest against seces¬ 
sion to the last. When the question was finally up for 
voting on, they went down in defeat with the minority. 
Now, that Georgia no longer considered herself a member 
of the Union, to Carswell and to Cochran the highest 
duty that Georgians owed was to Georgia. A motion was 
now made to make the secession vote unanimous. It was 
now no longer a question of voting whether Georgia 
should secede; it was the question whether Georgians 
should be united on the stand that already had been taken. 
The votes of both Carswell and of Cochran were in the 
affirmative. 

It was soon seen that war was inevitable. Lincoln’s call 
for volunteers was answered in the south by a call for vol¬ 
unteers for the defense of her soil. Though Wilkinson 
had struggled to the last to prevent secession, she now 
rallied to the southern cause. A wave of patriotism swept 



230 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the county. “The Wilkinson Rifles,” later Co. F 3rd Geor¬ 
gia Regiment commanded by William O. Beall was the 
first company to be ready for service. The following let¬ 
ters show the alacrity with which Wilkinson County re¬ 
sponded : 

Original Documents on File in Dept, of Archives and 
History: 

“Macon, Georgia, Jany. 16th, 1861. 

Dear Sir: 

Please send me a suitable number of the blank-bonds, 
such as are used in the distribution of arms to privates, if 
the State furnishes them. I will need about seventy (70), 
inasmuch as some of the present members may resign, and, 
in that event, the bonds originally executed would have 
to be cancelled and new ones filled out. If the State does 
not furnish them, will you please send me the established 
form for them: Also inform me as to whether the State 
furnished Officers of Infantry Companies with swords:— 
My reason for asking this is, that it is next to impossible 
to purchase suitable ones within the limits of the State— 
I have been unable to get them in either Savannah or this 
City. I am, with the highest respect, 

Your very obedient servant, 

Sam H. Washington, 

2d Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer “Wilkinson Rifles,” 
Wilkinson County, Ga. 

To Adjutant General H. C. Wayne, 

Milledgeville, Georgia. 

Please direct to me at Macon. 

Headquarters Wilkinson Rifles 

March 26, 1861.” 

“Col. H. C. Wayne, Adjt. Gen. 

Milledgeville, Ga. 

Dear Sir: 

The service of our Company was tendered to His Ex- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


231 


cellency the Governor of Georgia some time since, and 
understanding a requisition has recently been made by 
President Davis upon Governor Brown for 2,000 soldiers, 
and the number to be furnished to be supplied from the 
Volunteer Companies of the State—Our Company is yet 
holding themselves in readiness. Will take into service 
at least sixty men, perhaps eighty. 

Desiring to hear from your Department—We are, 
Very respectfully, your obt. servts., 

Rollins A. Stanley, Secty. 
per order of 

William O. Beall, 

Capt. Commanding Wilkinson Rifles.” 
ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY I 

A short time after Company F was formed, N. A. 
Carswell, organized the Carswell Guards, later known 
as Company I of the 3rd Georgia. Part of the time while 
it was being organized the company was encamped at New 
Providence Church where the men were drilled. These 
two companies were soon rushed to Virginia. 

“Being the first Georgia regiment organized on Vir¬ 
ginia soil, before even the reception of that State sub¬ 
sequently, it was honored by a special order of thanks 
from the Secretary of War, for re-enlisting for the war 
before their first enlisted term of service had expired. For 
a like reason President Davis and General Lee, on the 
front lines around Richmond, raised their hats to this 
regiment, the President saying: “Third Georgians, I sa¬ 
lute you! For myself and the people of the Confederate 
States I thank you.” 

“And well did the regiment repay these honors, for its 
career became brilliant, and like the face of the sun, noth¬ 
ing to blemish its beauty, it was not behind the foremost 
in every important battle of the Army of Northern Vir¬ 
ginia. Advancing its flag furthest on Malvern Hill, within 


232 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ten steps of where the enemy’s guns were posted, its de¬ 
fenders slept upon that blood stained field of battle, and 
afterwards that flag was waved in triumph over a thirteen- 
gun battery on the crest of Gettysburg’s Cemetery Ridge. 
But its career was none the less brilliant further on, even 
down to the close of the war, for but one day before the 
surrender at Appomattox, gathering strength from de¬ 
spair itself, it successfully received a charge and returned 
a counter charge, capturing more prisoners than its com¬ 
mand numbered.” (Augusta Evening News, July 22, 

18870 

The battles in which the Wilkinson County companies 
of the 3rd Georgia were engaged are as follows: 

Chickacomic, N. C., Sept. ’61; South Mills, N. C., April 
7, ’62; Below Richmond, Va., June 18, ’61; King’s School 
House, June 25, ’62; Malvern Hill, July 1, ’62; 2nd Ma¬ 
nassas, Aug. 30, ’62; Harper’s Ferry, Sept. 15, ’62; 
Sharpsburg, Sept. 17, ’62; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, ’62; 
Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, ’63; 2nd Fredericksburg, 
May 4, ’63 ; Gettysburg, July 2, ’63 ; Manassas’ Gap, July 
23, ’63; Wilderness, May 6, ’64; Spotsylvania C. H., 10 
and 14, ’64; South Anna, 21, ’64; Cold Harbor, June 10, 
’64; Petersburg, June 22, and July 1 and 30, ’64; Deep 
Bottom, Aug. 2 and 21, ’64; Hatcher’s Run, Feb. 6, ’65; 
High Bridge, April 3, ’65; Farmville, April 8, ’65; At 
Surrender, April 9, ’65. (Bulletin, Oct. 14, 1898.) 

The heroic conduct of the gallant 3rd Georgia in the 
battle of South Mills during 1862 so impressed Gen. Hu¬ 
ger that he ordered “South Mills” to be inscribed on its 
banner as a reward. 

RAMAH GUARDS 

The next Company to be organized in Wilkinson 
County was the Ramah Guards commanded by Robert W. 
Folsom, a born leader and a rigid disciplinarian. Later this 
was Company B of the 14th Georgia. About the 1st of 
July, 1861, the company was assembled at Ramah Church 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


233 


and the officers chosen. The field on the north side of the 
road just east of Ramah was converted into a drill ground. 
Many of the older people yet recall the company drilling 
here, the commanding appearance of Captain Folsom, 
as he drilled his men, and how after the drills were over, 
those who were not too tired would engage in foot races. 
David Solomon, Joel Rivers and others helped equip the 
Company with uniforms and it made a splendid appear¬ 
ance. The services of the Company were tendered the 
Confederate government and immediately accepted. 

Preparations were made at once for the departure to 
the front. On the Fourth of July a barbecue was given 
the Company by the citizens. 

On the 9th of July they broke camp, marching to the 
home of the venerable Joel Rivers, now an invalid, to pay 
their respects to the man they all loved. From thence the 
Company marched to Ramah Church. Here, suitable cere¬ 
monies for the presentation of the Company colors had 
been arranged. Miss Malinda Solomon, the beautiful 
daughter of David Solomon and the sweetheart of Lieu¬ 
tenant C. C. Kelly, (later Major) was selected to present 
the colors. After the pretty presentation speech, Captain 
Folsom’s command rang out: “Officer of the Day, receive 
the colors.” Of course Lieutenant Kelly happened to be 
serving in that capacity just at that time. (Yes, they later 
married.) 

The Company entrained for Atlanta where it became 
a part of the regiment, known as the 7th Georgia, thence 
was sent to Lynchburg, Virginia, where it was mustered 
into the Confederate service on July 21, 1861. From 
Lynchburg the regiment was sent to West Virginia be¬ 
coming a part of Jackson’s “Foot Cavalry.” This regi¬ 
ment was now assigned to Archer’s Brigade and became 
the 14th Georgia instead of the 7th. The first battle in 
which this company was engaged was the Battle of Cheat 
Mountain in West Virginia. A short time later the regi- 


234 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ment became a part of the Army of Northern Virginia, 
and in the re-organization of the army in the Spring of 
1862, became a part of the command of Brigadier Gen¬ 
eral E. L. Thomas. 

COMPANY A OF THE 49th GEORGIA 

This company was organized with S. T. Player, Captain. 
The drill ground for this company was the level field near 
the present home of Mrs. Josie Wright. The company 
was armed with Enfield rifles and sent to Whitesville, Ef- 
fington County, Georgia, for training, and later to Golds¬ 
boro, North Carolina, thence to Virginia, arriving in time 
to take part in the battle of Seven Pines. 

Here McClellan had concentrated his 100,000 men 
against 63,000 Confederates. In addition to these odds 
the raw troops comprising the 49th were subjected to a 
most terrific barrage of heavy artillery fire. The survivors 
yet tell of the vivid recollections of that awful baptism 
by fire. 

Only a short distance from the 49th in this battle were 
the men of Company B of the 14th who had already ex¬ 
perienced the smell of burning powder. These two com¬ 
panies of Wilkinson County men were in the front line 
when the battle started. 

The 14th Georgia went into the battle with Wade 
Hampton’s Brigade. Videttes had been thrown out by 
Company B, J. R. Kelly being one of those detailed for 
this purpose, and was one of the first to come into contact 
with the advance guard of the enemy. Company B dis¬ 
tinguished itself that day, fighting like veterans. 

Following the battle of Seven Pines, the Wilkinson 
County Companies were assigned as follows: Companies 
F and I of the 3rd Georgia in Brigadier General Wright’s 
Brigade, Pender’s Division: Company B. of the 14th Geor¬ 
gia and Company A of the 49th Georgia in Thomas’ Bri¬ 
gade, Anderson’s Division, all in A. P. Hill’s corps. 


Chapter XXXIII 


COMPANIES D, I AND K OF THE 57th 
GEORGIA REGIMENT 

I N October, 1861, two other companies were organ¬ 
ized in Wilkinson County, one commanded by Captain 
R. L. Story and the other by Captain H. K. Byington. 

The scarcity of arms in the South made it necessary for 
these companies to be armed with shotguns and such other 
arms as could be borrowed from the citizens of the county. 
Both companies were sent first to Camp Harrison and 
then near Savannah for training. Here the men were 
armed with rifles. These companies having enlisted for 
only six months, their term of enlistment expiring in April, 
1862, the companies re-enlisted in toto, but there being 
an insufficient number of companies in their old regiment, 
and lacking only one to complete it, it was decided that 
twenty-five men from each of these companies together 
with detachments from Laurens County should form an¬ 
other company. This was known as Company I, with Cap¬ 
tain Bishop commanding. The original companies were 
designated as Companies D and K, all three companies be¬ 
ing incorporated in the 57th Georgia Regiment. 

They were now returned to Savannah, then sent to 
Camp Randolph, thence to Chattanooga, Knoxville, and 
on to Franklin, Ky. A short time later they were sent into 
Mississippi where they became a part of Pemberton’s 
Western Army. 

Thus, while the bloody battles were raging about Rich¬ 
mond, Companies D, I and K of the 57th Georgia were 
doing noble service. At Baker’s Creek, Mississippi, no 
veterans displayed more heroism. Grant was attacking 
Pemberton with a vastly superior force. The battle was 

( 235 ) 


236 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


raging in all its fury on the front, the 57th being in the 
reserve. The front line began to crumble about noon and 
regiments of the enemy began to pour through, threaten¬ 
ing the Southern army with destruction unless the tide 
could be stemmed. Orders were received by the 57th to 
form a line of battle and restore the breach made by the 
assaults of the enemy. Although raw and untried, never 
having before been in battle, the 57th covered itself with 
glory that day. As they charged they were met by a ter¬ 
rific fire that mowed them down by hundreds. Man after 
man from Wilkinson fell, but as those in front were shot 
down others leaped forward to fill their places. They re¬ 
stored the line but the enemy continued their assaults 
against this portion of the line vainly striving to break 
through. The gallant John Brooks of Gordon, color ser¬ 
geant of the 57th, had every man of his squad shot dead 
and as the banner was falling to the ground leaped for¬ 
ward, seized it and bore it onward, and onward until he, 
too, heroically fell a sacrifice to the cause. And yet, the 
men of Wilkinson did not die in vain that day. The line 
was held until an orderly withdrawal could be had and the 
army of Pemberton was saved from destruction. 

VICKSBURG 

After this battle, Pemberton’s army was shut up in 
Vicksburg and the 57th went through that terrible siege. 
The compiler has heard the veterans tell of that awful 
forty-seven days, how they were driven to the extremity 
of eating mule meat, how they were exposed to the sun 
and to the rain and cold, how they stood guard all night 
long in the no-man’s land between the two armies in order 
to prevent a surprise attack; how the sound of sappers 
underfoot gave notice of the fact that under the 57th Geor¬ 
gia a mine was being laid to blow them up; and how at last 
when all hope for relief from Johnson’s army was gone 
and the mine scheduled to be exploded only two days 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


237 


later, the surrender of Pemberton to Grant was brought 
about. 

After the exchange of paroled prisoners following the 
capture of the 57th at Vicksburg, they were sent to 
oppose Sherman who was now approaching Atlanta. The 
next battle in which the 57th was engaged was that of 
Kennesaw Mountain. In this battle the Wilkinson County 
men of the 57th were stationed on the south side of the 
mountain and did excellent service, holding the enemy 
back. A terrific hail of bullets and artillery fire was con¬ 
centrated upon their position. Gilbert in an advanced posi¬ 
tion in front of his company, I, fell wounded and was 
soon calling for water. S. A. Hatfield passed him his can¬ 
teen of water. Later this regiment was in the battle of At¬ 
lanta and lost a number of men in the artillery barrage 
there, one shell killing near a dozen men. Then followed 
the battle at Jonesboro, and after this the northward 
march of Hood’s Army into Tennessee, with the battles 
there. Later this command marched to North Carolina 
and surrendered at Goldsboro at the end of the war. 


The following historical sketch written by James H. Freeman 
during the War throws much light on the early history of the 57th 
Ga. It is regretted that much of it has been lost: 

“Commencing this war with James H. Freeman. First he went 
into six months service from which he left home the 9th day of Oct.,. 
1861, reached Savannah at night about 8 o’clock. The Co. took lodg¬ 
ing in livery stable for the night. Next morning we put out to the 
Gulf depot, took the locomotive for Camp Harrison, distance 70 
miles, arrived there about 3 in the evening. Of all the smoked fel¬ 
lows we were that, riding on an open car. We remained there in 
camp, drilled and ate, slept and fared like pigs in pens. In about 
a month we got news the yanks were landing at Savannah. We had 
then to bolt up and put for Savannah, leaving in the evening about 
6 o’clock and arrived in Savannah about 10 at night. There we lay 
all night, no fires, frost next morning, the Yanks had gone back. 
I had the measles, took them night before. The morning afterwards 
great many the officers were getting drays to haul our baggage 
out to camp on the C. R. R. 2 miles distance, place called Race 
Track. The regiment had to march in ranks through a sandy road, 
the first marching we ever had done. I got nearly past walking 
before I arrived, having the measles with fever. It was 3 months 
before I did any duty. In the six months time I had a twenty-four 
hours furlough and made it last 48 hours. During our stay we built 


238 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


fortifications down below Savannah, one place called Ft. Bogs 1 
mile below town. We had to leave every morning by light. Rad to 
rise by 2 or 3 o’clock to cook for the day. Still we had a jolly old 
time coming back to camp stopping in town sometimes all night. 
One great thing with me was we had no fighting nor picketing to 
do during the six months, nothing only guard duty around camps. 
A glorious time we had then, to be in camps and to eat better food 
than I have had since. We threw away more than we drew since. 
Our time was out the 9th of-. 

James H. Freeman went into the Confederate service the 2nd of 
May, 1862, which he left home about the 14th for Savannah there 
remained nearly a month at Camp Barkaloo 4 miles from town, in 
which time my dearest mother took sick. Myself and brother got 
furloughs to come to see her. While at home she died. We stayed 
over our time a few days. We went back, remained down there 
until June the 1st. They gave the whole regiment a furlough until 
the 14th of June, ’62, when we had orders to go to Camp Randolph 
Calhoun Post Office nearly 100 miles above Atlanta on the Western 
Atlantic R. R. We remained at Camp Randolph until the 4th of 
July, ’62. We had orders to cook up rations for three days, to be 
ready to march at 8 o’clock for the depot the distance over 1 mile, 
leaving some of our tents or nearly all, but we got to the depot and 
was ready to leave by 10 o’clock for Chattanooga. We arrived in 
Chattanooga late that evening and lay over until the 16th of July 
following. While there we had the worst water and no wood. We 
let out from there down to (Taylor’s store) Taylor’s station 26 
miles below Chattanooga on the Road to Nashville, Tenn. We re¬ 
mained down there and did picketing for a month on Tenn. river. 
In that time one of our regiments went over to the yanks, deserted. 
While there we boys could go up on the Mountain and see the 
Yankee camp. We drank cider and ate blackberries, drank butter¬ 
milk and had fun rolling down the mountain. About the 10th of 
August we got orders to cook up rations for two days for Knox¬ 
ville, Tenn. We struck tents and packed to leave for .the cars over 
a mile to from camp. I was on detail all day loading our baggage, 

we got it all there and loaded that evening, next morning at- 

to leave for Chattanooga, that nasty old place. The car being over¬ 
loaded we were late getting there that night. Next morning, at 6 
a. m. we let out the locomotive for Knoxville, Tenn. While on the 
road the most pretty flags were presented to us and handkerchiefs 
were waved by pretty girls as we poor soldiers would pass them, 
and they would throw us apples. We arrived at Knoxville that night. 
Next morning some went to the Hotel to get warm breakfast, but 
I took mine out of my haversack. We struck camp one mile from 
town, there remained a week. Then got orders for a forced march 
and to carry nothing only what we carried on our backs and guns 
and round of cartridges, 1 wagon to 2 Companies and them to 
carry commissaries and few cooking things and march 20 miles to 
Clinton, Tenn. That was our first march to Clinton, Tenn. We 
camped around there nearly three weeks. No fighting yet, it being 
the last of August. 

About Sept. 1st we took a line of march into Kentucky. We 
crossed the Cumberland Mountain at Pine Gap on Sunday. The 
hardest day’s work we had there, pushing and pulling up Artillery. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


239 


We were all day crossing the mountain. After crossing over we 
came in contact with a squad of bushwhackers of which some were 
killed and wounded. Some made their escape. We captured the great 
town of London, Tenn. Next town was Richmond, Ken. There was 
a fight, but my Brigade was two days after the fight. There we 
captured 1000 stand of arms, the prisoners were paroled. We camped 
3 or 4 days, got rations a plenty while there and whiskey to drink. 
I remained there at the Hospital a week. This time when I got 
able to travel, the regiment being over 50 miles at Frankfort, Ken., 
a squad of 30 of us started to overtake it. We fared the best on 
the road, the kindest folks to us, giving us everything we wanted 
to eat and wine to drink, grapes to eat a plenty.” 


Chapter XXXIV 


CONDITIONS IN WILKINSON DURING 
THE WAR 

S UCH a large number of the men of Wilkinson going off 
to war soon had its effect upon the economic conditions 
of the county. Many left no slaves nor any one else to pro¬ 
vide food for their families. Thus within a short time 
want was staring many women and children in the face. 

To remedy the situation heavy taxes were levied by the 
Inferior Court, and Committees of men were appointed 
in each militia district to distribute food, and to report to 
the Inferior Court the destitute families. Extracts from 
the minutes of this court portray the conditions: 

“Ordered by the court that the County Treasurer be 
authorized to pay over to the committees of the district 
appointed at this term of the court five hundred dollars 
to be distributed by said committee to the needy families 
of those who have gone to the war, out of any money in 
his hands at the time of the passage of this order. 

“The Committee of Ramah District exhibited their 
book with amount furnished families in their district, to 
wit: 8 lbs. bacon, lb. meal, each, and i gal. molassas, 
to five persons, which was satisfactory to the court and 
adopted for the government of committees at present. 
“Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 1861.• 

“The Llonorable the Inferior Court met in chambers 
for the purpose of hearing the report of the Committee 
from the several districts appointed by the court; to re¬ 
port the names of such families of volunteers as are needy. 

“Ordered that N. W. Hughs be appointed on the Relief 
Committee for High Hill, in place of Rev. G. B. Hughs. 
“Ordered that Gabriel Jones, Vincent Jeans and John 

( 240 ) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


241 


Temples be appointed a committee in Bloodworth’s Dis¬ 
trict to report the families in said district destitute, whose 
husbands are in the war.” 

SCARCITY OF SALT 

The strict blockade of the coast by the Federal navy 
preventing imports produced a great scarcity of salt in 
the South. The smoke-houses of Wilkinson County were 
all scraped, their earth floors digged up and boiled so that 
the salt becoming diluted in the water could be used. Even 
this was insufficient and a meeting was called at Marion 
in Twiggs County for Wilkinson, Twiggs and Pulaski 
counties to devise plans by which salt could be obtained. 
A later meeting was held at Allentown and steps were 
taken for the manufacture of this salt. An overseer was 
appointed and slaves were sent with him to the coast. 

Old Jack Whipple, a slave belonging to the Whipple 
family, was one of these which were sent. When he was 
nearly one hundred years old, he told the writer of how 
he went to the coast and helped make salt during the war, 
recalling distinctly the evaporation of the sea water in 
boilers and vars. 

THE SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC 

To add to the troubles of the people of the county in 
the fall of 1862 there was an outbreak of smallpox in Ra- 
mah District. The Inferior Court at once appointed a 
board of health composed of E. J. Massey, Benjamin Fin¬ 
ney, William Rivers, J. H. Jones, David Solomon, A. O. 
Flemister, and M. J. Dykes. Quarantine regulations were 
enforced and vaccinations were provided for all unable 
to pay for it. Many patriotic citizens allowed their resi¬ 
dences to be converted into hospitals for the treatment of 
those afflicted. Among these were the homes of the 
Bridges, the Barrentines, Jessups, and Sanders. 

In January, 1863, the dread disease broke out in Griffin 


242 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


District, and a board of health was appointed, composed 
of T. W. Dupree, T. J. Holliman, Zenus Fordham, J. R. 
Billue, Benj. Fordham, Etheldred Ogburn, and James 
Pierce, with full power to quarantine any part of the dis¬ 
trict, appoint guards and compel service. 

Not only was there great suffering for food among the 
needy families of Wilkinson but there was a need for 
clothing. Many had no means of preparing cotton and 
weaving it into cloth. To remedy this situation the state 
distributed great quantities of cotton cards among the 
destitute. 

With so many companies of men at the two battle 
fronts which were frequently calling for recruits to fill the 
thinning ranks, Wilkinson County rapidly “Bled herself 
white.” However, the slaves were proving loyal and were 
growing large crops of foodstuffs for the Confederate 
armies. The tithing tax was rigidly enforced and the 
buildings then in front of the courthouse were converted 
into Confederate granaries. Leroy Fleetwood was in 
charge of these, and under the immediate command of 
Captain Dickerson of Macon. 

The following extracts from the minutes of the Infe¬ 
rior Court tell the story of the suffering in Wilkinson 
County during 1864 and 1865 : 

“We, the court, order that the committee of each Dis¬ 
trict take off all children from their list that receive help 
from the county over ten years (10) old and must not 
furnish any one over that age with anything unless dis¬ 
abled so they are not able to labor. We further order that 
they furnish no one anything unless they have no visible 
means of support if any question is made between them 
and their neighbors about their means of support it must 
be settled by swearing the claimant and learning their true 
condition. It being the intention of the court to furnish 
the needy in district and such as cannot furnish themselves 
and none others. We further order that each committee 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


243 


keep a regular act book of all their acts so that fault find¬ 
ers and scruplers may have no chance to complain and re¬ 
port to the court every three months. 

“March 7, 1864. It appearing to the court that the sol¬ 
diers’ families in some parts of this county, are greatly in 
need of corn. It is ordered that the Clerk of said Court 
forward to Captain Dickerson at Macon, Georgia, a re¬ 
quest for the release of seven hundred (700) bushels of 
tithe corn for supplying the above named families. 

“April 14, 1864. It appearing to the Court that a great 
many of the indigent soldiers’* families in this county have 
not made a sufficient amount of bacon to support their 
families which consist in many cases of helpless children: 
it is ordered that the Clerk of said court forward to Cap¬ 
tain Dickerson a request allowing such families to com¬ 
mute their tithe bacon at government price which will 
greatly alleviate their suffering condition. 

“April 14, 1864. 

“Mr. L. Fleetwood: 

“Sir, you’re directed in accordance with orders from 
Captain Dickerson to turn over seven hundred (700) 
bushels of the tithe corn which has not been delivered to 
you to the committees appointed in each district in the fol¬ 
lowing manner: 

“T. W. Dupree, Griffin, 25 bu.; J. R. Thompson, 
Lords, 100 bu.; A. Baum, Irwinton, 100 bu.; M. M. 
Bloodworth, 373^ bu.; James Jackson, Fork, 50 bu.; 
John Bragg, 51J 4 bu. Total, 700 bu.” 

The following named persons were appointed as police¬ 
men for the county in July, 1864: 

William Dickson, M. J. Carswell, William Manson, 
Nimrod Burke, L. Hanks, J. T. Coney, Joseph W. Parks, 
G. B. Burney, Wiley T. Holland, William A. Hall, J. N. 
Wall, A. O. Flemister. 

“July 11, 1864. The honorable Inferior Court met for 
the purpose of selecting Physicians and Millers to remain 


244 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


at home in compliance with Governor Brown’s Procla¬ 
mation, and knowing the following named physicians to be 
men skilled in their profession, order that they be exempt 
from militia duty: Wm. Taylor, R. G. Carroll, and J. T. 
Hudson. And knowing scarcity of millers in the county 
recommend that all who are now engaged in that business 
remain at home. 

“Aug. ii, 1864. It is ordered by the court that the 
county treasurer borrow seven thousand (7,000) dollars 
to be returned 1st November in the currency for the relief 
of soldiers’ families there being an insufficient on hand 
for said purpose. 

“Aug. 11, 1864. In obedience to special order from 
General Waynes’ office of Aug. 1st, 1864, we the Inferior 
Court of said county make the following report: 

“Number of slaves in county 5,000; number of men 
between fifty-five and sixty years of age whose names ac¬ 
company this report, 26; number of men between the age 
of fifty-five and sixty unable to ride and perform police 
duty, 25. 

“Aug. 11, 1864. There being a deficiency in the num¬ 
ber of old men able to ride and perform police duty al¬ 
lowing one man to every five hundred slaves we recom¬ 
mend that the following named men subject to the late 
call of the Governor be detained for police duty in this 
county who are accustomed to the management of ne¬ 
groes and who we know to be men of distinction and en¬ 
ergy and who perform their duty faithfully: 

“Nimrod Burke in Captain Cumming’s Company; A. 
O. Flemister in Captain Lingo’s Company; J. N. Wall in 
Captain Cumming’s Company; M. J. Carswell in Captain 
Cumming’s Company; Wm. Dickson, Wm. Manson, J. T. 
Coney, J. W. Parks, W. A. Hall, all at home. 

“Nov. 1st, 1864. Owing to the great scarcity of corn 
in the county it is found to be impossible to procure a suf¬ 
ficient quantity to relieve the necessities of the indigent 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


245 


soldiers’ families and it being the interest of the govern¬ 
ment to relieve the wants of such families as much as pos¬ 
sible. It is ordered by the court that Captain A. Dickerson 
be requested to sell this court for the relief of such fami¬ 
lies ten thousand bushels of corn of the new crop for their 
consumption for the year 1865. 

“Dec. 5, 1864. It is ordered by the court that the 
county treasurer pay over to Leroy Fleetwood, Depot 
Agent, One Thousand and Sixty-two 10/100 Dollars in 
payment of the tithe corn purchased by this court for the 
relief of soldiers’ families. 

“Dec. 5, 1864. It is ordered that E. F. Hughs proceed 
to Macon with a memorial to Capt. Dickerson request¬ 
ing the release of the tithing corn of this county and ba¬ 
con for the use of families whose provisions have been 
destroyed by the enemy and that he draw upon the county 
treasurer the amount of money he expends while so en¬ 
gaged. 

“February 6, 1865. We, the Justices of the Inferior 
Court, having assembled as required by law for the pur¬ 
pose of placing to the best of our knowledge and belief 
the market value upon slaves of different ages in our 
county do certify that we believe the following sums 
placed opposite each age to be the fair market value in 
Confederate Treasury. 

“Notes of the slaves of different ages in our county, 
viz: 

1st slaves under two years of age are worth $400.00. 

2nd slaves from two to six years of age are worth 
$650.00. 

3rd slaves from six to twelve years of age are worth 
$1,200.00. 

4th slaves from twelve to sixteen years of age are worth 
$1,800.00. 

5th Male slaves sixteen to twenty-five years of age are 
worth $3,500.00. 


246 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Female slaves sixteen to twenty-five years of age are 
worth $3,000.00. 

6th Male slaves twenty-five to thirty-five years of age are 
worth $3,000.00. 

Female slaves twenty-five to thirty-five years of age are 
worth $2,500.00. 

7th Male slaves thirty-five to forty-five years of age are 
worth $2,500.00. 

Female slaves thirty-five to forty-five years of age are 
worth $1,500.00. 

8th Male slaves forty-five to fifty-five years of age are 
worth $1,500.00. 

Female slaves forty-five to fifty-five years of age are 
worth $700.00. 

9th Male slaves fifty-five to sixty-five years of age are 
worth $750.00. 

Female slaves fifty-five to sixty-five years of age are worth 
$300.00. 

“April 1865. We, as Justices of the Inferior Court of 
said county, report that we wish our county to be supplied 
with her quota of cotton cards at the next distribution by 
the state for the benefit of the indigent wives and widows 
of soldiers and we hereby authorize J. B. Campbell, Esq., 
Secretary Executive Department, to receive and receipt 
for in our names the executive warrant on the State Treas¬ 
ury for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars part 
of the appropriation due this county for support of indi¬ 
gent soldiers’ families and children and to pay over same 
to the agent of the State card factory for said cards at 
20c a pair, and other expenses. The agent of the State for 
said factory will send the cards to Gordon consigned to 
Joel Deese at Milledgeville, Ga. 

“Ordered that the Road Commissioners be authorized 
to receive ten dollars in Confederate money for every 
dollar on the old basis of one to three dollars a day. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


247 


“April 8, 1865. It is further ordered that John R. 
Bragg be appointed agent for the district of Turkey 
Creek, Lords, Griffin and High Hill and that to give 
bond in the sum of two hundred thousand dollars. 

“Ordered by the court that the Clerk of the Superior 
and Inferior Courts and Ordinary proceed to buy books 
to have the minutes and such other records as are so de¬ 
stroyed by the recent burning of the court house in the 
different offices and that each one of the offices aforesaid 
proceed at once to transcribe the records aforesaid on the 
new books so purchased at once and that the sum of five 
thousand dollars be appropriated for that purpose and 
that we pay them for said services such terms as may be 
allowed by law for recording and that the clerk of this 
court be authorized to draw his warrant for the amount 
on the Treasury so specified as above. 

“It appearing to the court that there is great distress 
among the people and no money in the treasury, it is or¬ 
dered that the county treasurer be authorized to have 
struck at once the sum of one thousand dollars in bills of 
from fifty cents to five dollars which said script shall be 
received in payment of any tax or dues to the county here¬ 
after accruing, said script to be signed by the county treas¬ 
urer in each and every case. 

“Ordered that one hundred and seventy-five dollars be 
paid to G. B. Burney for the rent of two houses for a court 
house and that it bears interest till paid from 1st Jan, last. 

“It is ordered that the county treasurer cause to be 
struck one thousand dollars on the same terms and condi¬ 
tions as the order of Jan. 8th, last, passed. 

“It is ordered that Alexander Baum in Irwinton Dis¬ 
trict; J. J. Todd, in High Hill District; T. W. Dupree, in 
Griffin District, E. J. Rozar, in Turkey Creek District; 
Joel Deese in Lord’s District; S. J. Stubbs, in Fork Dis¬ 
trict; M. M. Bloodworth, in Bloodworth’s District; and 
V. W. Tharpe, in Ramah District be appointed agents in 


248 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the several districts aforesaid to receive and to distribute 
such monies or provisions to the several persons entitled 
to the benefit of an act appropriating money to feed and 
provide for soldiers’ families and other destitute per¬ 
sons.” 


Chapter XXXV 


WITH THE WILKINSON COUNTY COMPANIES 
IN VIRGINIA 

W E now return to the Virginia front where the four 
Wilkinson County Companies are found in A. P. 
Hill’s forces. McClellan with vastly superior forces was 
approaching Richmond and A. P. Hill stood in his direct 
path. Then came the Seven Days Battles Before Rich¬ 
mond. McClellan having received reinforcements in¬ 
vaded Virginia and was bent upon capturing Richmond. 
Again and again the Wilkinson County companies under 
Hill were called on and in every battle of the seven days 
they were found on the first line. Company B of the 14th 
lost twenty-three men in the campaign, or near one-fourth 
killed besides numbers wounded. When these battles be¬ 
gan, Folsom, who had now been promoted to Colonel of 
the 14th, was ill and in the hospital. Notwithstanding this 
he arose from his bed and led his regiment all through 
these battles. 

During these Seven Days Battles all the Companies 
from Wilkinson fought with a ferocity unexcelled in 
history. They were in Hill’s furious charges at Mechanics- 
ville; they were in the front ranks at Cold Harbor, when 
Hill was moving heaven and earth in his endeavor to hold 
his ground against the overwhelming odds of five to one 
attacking him, breaking the enemies’ assaults and in the 
face of such odds, countercharging and driving them back, 
bearing up under the heavy artillery fire which was then 
turned upon them, decimating their ranks, and then slowly 
being forced back by overpowering assaults with every 
possible reserve in action, with defeat and possible cap¬ 
ture staring them in the face, the timely arrival of Stone¬ 
wall Jackson turned defeat into a glorious victory. 

And again at Frazier’s Farm, A. P. Hill’s forces were 
( 249 ) 


250 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


in the advance. This time the 14th and 49th were with 
Longstreet, the 14th forming his left wing, while the 49th 
formed part of his right wing. Jefferson Davis, in his Rise 
and Fall of the Confederacy tells in the highest of terms 
of how the Georgians charged like Demons that day, 
fighting successfully against overwhelming number. How 
calmly and cooly the men marched into battle at the com¬ 
mand of Hill, and that never did soldiers display more 
bravery than did those at Frazier’s Farm. Davis says that 
in many respects this was one of the most remarkable bat¬ 
tles of the w r ar, and tells how the infantry charged 
through hails of canister and grape shot capturing bat¬ 
teries of artillery, and how the bayonet was freely used, 
and when these could not be used by reason of the proxim¬ 
ity of the combatants the butts of the guns were used 
(W. I. Thigpen, of Company A of the 49th Georgia, has 
a most vivid recollection of this battle and gave the com¬ 
piler the information as to the location of the 49th.) 

CEDAR RUN 

The enemy attacked General Early’s command, and 
Thomas’ Brigade, in which the 14th and 49th were, was 
sent to re-inforce him, and the battle became general. In 
the meantime, Jackson’s left had been overpowered at one 
point by superior numbers and the southern army was 
threatened. It was here that the 3rd Georgia was called 
on to assist in replacing the line. 

SECOND MANASSAS 

Here, the Georgians under A. P. Hill formed the en¬ 
tire left wing of Jackson’s command. The enemy learning 
that Longstreet upon whom Jackson was depending for 
reinforcements could not get there immediately, attacked 
with large numbers of fresh troops. Charge after charge 
was made against the lines held by the Wilkinson County 
companies. A short distance from where these were sta- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


251 


tioned, the enemy broke A. P. Hill’s lines. Unless this 
line could be re-established it meant the defeat of the 
army. The 49th Georgia was called upon to hurl them¬ 
selves into the breach and repair the line at all costs. 

It was here they again covered themselves with glory. 
With the wild rebel yell they bore down upon the advanc¬ 
ing troops of the enemy with such a fury that no power 
could resist. They restored the line, and W. I. Thigpen 
yet lives to tell the story of that charge and to corrobo¬ 
rate Jefferson Davis in his description. 

In describing the Second Battle of Manassas on Aug. 
29, 1862, John Esten Cooke in his “Life of Stonewall 
Jackson” says: 

“About that time the enemy advanced a heavy column, 
consisting in part, it is said, of Banks’, Sigel’s, and Pope’s 
divisions; and, supported by a heavy fire of artillery, 
threw themselves with great fury upon Jackson’s left, 
consisting of the division of A. P. Hill. Their evident de¬ 
sign was to turn his flank; and in spite of the destructive 
volleys poured into their faces they pressed on, crossed 
the cut in the railroad extending along Hill’s front, and, 
penetrating an interval of about one hundred and seventy- 
five yards, separated the right of Gregg’s from the left of 
Thomas’ brigades. This success proved almost fatal at 
the moment to General Gregg. He was entirely isolated, 
and but for the stubborn stand made by the 14th South 
Carolina and 49th Georgia, on Thomas’ left, would have 
been cut off and destroyed. These regiments attacked the 
enemy with vigor; their triumphant advance w T as checked 
at the instant when they were carrying all before them; 
and the Federal column was forced to retreat beyond the 
cut again, with heavy loss. In this sanguinary conflict the 
men fought almost breast to breast; and General Mc¬ 
Gowan reported that the opposing forces at one time de¬ 
livered their volleys into each other at the distance of ten 
paces.” (page 291.) 


252 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


CHANCELLORSVILLE 

Never did two contending armies fight harder than 
at Chancellorsville. The first day of the battle was in¬ 
decisive. Both sides had lost heavily. A. P. Hill’s com¬ 
mand was in the reserves and at dark of the first day 
was sent forward to the front lines. Jackson, mistaken 
by his own men, was mortally wounded. The command 
devolved upon A. P. Hill, but he was also soon wound¬ 
ed and sent to the field hospital. Jeb Stuart was now 
in command. At daybreak the next morning every 
man knew the crisis of his life was at hand. Not only was 
A. P. Hill lying wounded a short distance in the rear, the 
great Jackson, himself, was also lying helpless in the same 
hospital. The enemy was in overwhelming force and well 
entrenched, but when Jeb Stuart, the Chevalier Bayard 
of the Confederacy, in his plumed hat and on his prancing 
steed came down the line to lead that charge in person, and 
shouted “REMEMBER JACKSON!” the cry was 
taken up by every man from one end of the line to the 
other. No power on earth could stop the mad charge that 
followed. It was a mass of yelling demons that swept 
across the bloody field that day, striking terror into the 
hearts of the Yankees in front. Even the officers could 
not stop their men after the objective had been captured. 
As was told me by W. I. Thigpen who was there when 
that cry went down the line “REMEMBER JACKSON,” 
every man wanted to shed his last drop of blood. J. T. 
Dupree of the 3rd Georgia bore to his grave the wounds 
received that day. Mr. Thigpen of the 49th still bears 
his wounds. 

The following clipping from the Union Recorder of 
September 8, 1863, will he of interest: 

“Col. R. W. Folsom has presented the Governor the 
battle flag of the 14th Georgia Regiment. The patriotic 
emblem, tattered and pierced by bullets of the enemy, has 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


253 


been handsomely acknowledged by Gov. Brown, who gives 
it honorable preservation in the Executive Department.” 

GETTYSBURG 

One cannot think of the Wilkinson County Companies 
in the battle of Gettysburg without sinking of heart. One 
of Lee’s generals blundered and against the army of the 
south, overwhelming hordes were advancing. The 
companies from Wilkinson were in the center and on 
the front lines. The second day of the battle was the 
hardest fighting in history. Company B of the 14th 
held this ground against eight lines of the enemy. Com¬ 
pany A of the 49th in one of the charges that made it 
famous was almost completely destroyed. It seems that the 
3rd Georgia was supporting Longstreet and was in the ter¬ 
rific charges made that day. In the second day’s battle they 
were fighting on the identical ground on which Pickett 
had made his ill-fated charge the day before. In charging 
Cemetery Heights, the 3rd Georgia penetrated the ene¬ 
my’s lines further than any other Confederates. 

IN PICKETT’S CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG 

It is not generally known that two of the Wilkinson 
County Companies, Co. B of the 14th Ga., and Co. A, 
of the 49th Ga., were numbered among Pickett’s immortals 
in that charge at Gettysburg. Historians generally fail 
to mention these Regiments as taking part, such however, 
is unquestionably true. The attention of the compiler was 
called to this fact by Hon. Warren Grice, of Macon, 
who also supplied him with an article published in the 
Macon Telegraph by James Callaway, several years ago 
on Gen. Edward Loyd Thomas, who commanded the 
brigade in which the 14th and 49th Georgia Regiments 
were. Quoting from Mr. Callaway’s article: 

“He (Thomas) was in every battle fought by Gen. 
Lee in Virginia, and only missed Sharpsburg by reason 


254 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


of being detached at Harper’s Ferry to receive the parole 
of nearly 12,000 prisoners captured. 

The Count of Paris, in his history of our civil war, 
states that in one of the battles, when the front line of 
one of the Confederates had been broken by the federal 
forces, Gen. Thomas struck the advancing column in such 
a way as to turn their expected victory into defeat. 

His brigade was in the storming of Missionary Ridge 
by A. P. Hill, at Gettysburg, and was then retained by 
A. P. Hill to meet the threatened advance of the enemy 
from the left. 

Pickett’s division, composed of Virginians, is famous 
for the charge at Round Top. They charged by orders. 
But Gen. E. L. Thomas’ brigade of Georgians reached 
the highest point in that memorable and historic charge. 
His brigade was the 35th and 45th regiments (and also 
the 49th and 14th.) Historians may have regarded these as 
a part of Pickett’s division as they voluntarily joined in 
the charge. 

That splendid soldier and grand old man, Judge W. L. 
Grice, of Hawkinsville, commanding the 45th regiment, 
gives this account of Thomas’ charge: 

‘There was a great artillery duel, one hundred cannon 
from the Confederate side alone belching forth. Thomas’ 
brigade was in line of battle between these opposing forces, 
the cannon balls from each side passing over the brigade, 
crouched in the ravine. Thomas’ brigade had been de¬ 
tached from its division and was sent after dark on the 
night of July T to a position in the valley or ravine. Here 
it remained that night and until the evening of the next 
day, exposed to the hot July sun and to the fire of the 
federal sharpshooters, who harrassed us. We were in a 
precarious condition, so long under such a fire as this. 
Did ever brigade before witness such a cannon duel? 

When the firing ceased, Gen. Pickett was ordered to 
charge the enemy on the opposite hill. His charge was 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


255 


along the valley where Thomas’ men were lying. The 45th 
Georgia (my regiment) was on the right of Thomas’ bri¬ 
gade next to the ground over which Pickett’s men were 
to march, the 49th next to the 45th and the 14th and 35th 
forming left wing of the brigade. 

As Pickett’s men swept by, Gen. Thomas gave the com¬ 
mand, “Forward!” 

Pickett had to ascend the slope leading to Round Top, 
the enemy’s artillery pouring its fire upon them, not a tree 
or bush to offer shelter or protection. 

I was with Thomas at the right of the brigade. It was a 
magnificent sight to see Pickett’s men as they came with 
martial step down that long incline. As they passed by us, 
Gen. Thomas could not resist. He exclaimed, Forward! 
We were on the extreme left of Pickett’s men and the 
enemy’s cannon had been trained to strike the Virgin¬ 
ians by reason of position, so our loss was not so great. 
Thomas mounted the outer breast-works and looking 
to the right saw Pickett’s line waver, after they had taken 
possession of the enemy’s works at certain points. Thomas, 
pointing out the situation to me, asked what should be 
done. We agreed the position could not be held without 
support, and the union forces moving to retake their line. 
No support in sight, Thomas ordered a retreat’.” 

WILDERNESS 

It was in this battle that the 14th Georgia as well as 
the 49th was again almost wiped out. Both regiments were 
stationed near the plank road and were exposed to the 
heaviest kind of artillery fire. The 14th held the apex of 
a wedge extending towards the enemy and was exposed 
to a terrific cross fire. Color Sergeant Rabe Grooms of 
the 14th had been killed. First Lieutenant Henry Solo¬ 
mon of Gordon was killed. 3rd Lieutenant W. N. Ryle 
of Gordon was captured and it seemed no mortal could 
remain in the line held by the 14th Georgia and live. 


256 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


For once this regiment facing utter annihilation was 
slowly but surely being forced back. His line broken, 
Col. Bob Folsom was everywhere in the thickest of the 
fight encouraging and rallying his men. At last when 
his line was completely broken and his decimated 
ranks were on the verge of retreat he made one last effort 
to rally them. Throwing himself in front of his men, he 
pleaded: “Men, if you love me die with me!” A cheer ran 
down the lines of gray. The wild rebel yell resounded. A 
countercharge was made and that portion of the line was 
restored, but Folsom fell mortally wounded. To add to 
the troubles of the men from Wilkinson the wilderness 
caught on fire and numbers of the wounded were burned 
to death. 

SPOTSYLVANIA 

This was the next drawn battle in which the men from 
Wilkinson were engaged. Here the North Carolina bri¬ 
gade holding the front line broke and the enemy poured 
his forces in. The Wilkinson county companies under 
Thomas were ordered to help retake the line. They suc¬ 
ceeded but the brigade lost heavily. 

Then comes the period of the war when outnumbered 
it became evident that it was only a question of time before 
the end. We thus find the companies from Wilkinson in 
every battle around Petersburg. The men of the 3rd Geor¬ 
gia could hear the sappers under the fort at the Crater 
before it was blown up, yet. stuck nobly to their posts. 
Then when the terrible explosion came, those remaining 
alive helped hold back the hordes of Yankees that poured 
into the breach. 

And finally, in that last battle before Petersburg on 
the day before the retreat began, the gallant A. P. Hill, 
under whom the men of Wilkinson fought so nobly* fell 
at the head of his men. That night the retreat began 
which culminated at Appomattox. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


257 


Yet in defeat, in the moment of surrender, the hopes 
of the Confederacy at an end, we find the nobility and 
courage that characterized the men from Wilkinson so 
nobly portrayed in the act of one of her sons. The colors 
of the gallant 3rd Georgia, which in so many battles had 
proudly waved at the head of this regiment, battle scarred, 
torn by shrapnel, and shell, never captured, never having 
fallen into the hands of the enemy was now about to be 
surrendered. Color Sergeant, J. C. Hicks of Company 
I as he furled it that morning and realized that the 
noble banner which he had sworn to defend so long as 
life lasted must soon fall into the hands of those who 
would doubtless trample it into the dust, resolved that 
come what may, whether it meant northern prison or even 
the firing squad, he would save that flag. He seized the 
flag, tore it from its standard, some accounts say he wrap¬ 
ped it about his body underneath his tattered uniform and 
when the approaching foemen appeared no flag could be 
seen and that he walked home with his flag. Other accounts 
are that he gave it to Col. Snead. Suffice to say that the 
battle torn banner now can be seen in the Capitol of Geor¬ 
gia, never besmirched by foemen’s hands, and on it is in¬ 
scribed the account of the deed of the man from Wilkinson. 


Chapter XXXVI 


THE WAR REACHES WILKINSON 
stoneman's raiders 

A BOUT the first of August of 1864 a small band of 
Stoneman’s Raders which had been sent in this direc¬ 
tion by Sherman, appeared at Gordon, burning box cars 
and destroying other property. Being pursued, they hurried 
down the railroad, destroying as many trestles as they had 
time. According to information given the writer by 
Professor O. M. Sanders, arriving at Wriley, the raiders 
turned across Commissioner creek and took the road by 
the McCook farm. In the lane between the Robinson and 
Jones farms they met Mr. Lawrence Smith, the father 
of M. G. Smith, who was riding a mule. They opened .fire 
upon him, wounding him, but he rode his mule down the 
steep hill at the head of Buck Creek on the Jones place 
amid a hail of bullets, and escaped. The mule, however, 
died from over-exertion. The alarm was given and efforts 
were made to capture the band. Finding it was impossible 
to continue down the railroad and destroy the river 
bridge, they turned about and tried to return to Sherman’s 
command, but were captured. 

CO. D 8th GA. AND CO. H 2nd GA. 

When the news reached Wilkinson that Sherman was 
invading Georgia, although with its small population Wil¬ 
kinson County was maintaining seven companies in the 
field, the seventeen year old boys and old men who were 
able to bear arms formed two more companies, Company 
D of the 8th Georgia Militia and Company H of the 2nd 
Georgia Militia. These two companies did excellent ser¬ 
vice. Both were sent to Atlanta to assist in its defense, 
hailing back after Atlanta fell, they were stationed at 
( 258 ) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


259 


Macon when the news came that Sherman had captured 
Milledgeville and was sending a force towards Wilkinson 
county. Marching to Griswoldville their advance was 
opposed by batteries of Federal artillery stationed on 
the hill across the branch just east of Griswoldville sup¬ 
ported by Kilpatrick’s hordes of cavalry. It was madness 
to fight the battle of Griswoldville, but there was much 
at stake for these boys. Their homes and loved ones were 
depending upon what they did that day. If this battle could 
be won, Wilkinson County would be saved from the torch 
and the insults of the bluecoat army. And when this thought 
was borne to the minds of these seventeen year old boys, 
’they fought as few soldiers have ever fought before. Al¬ 
though a hopeless undertaking these boys charged the 
bristling batteries. It seemed that no living thing could 
cross that hail of shot and shell which was poured into 
them as they charged up that slope. Driven back they ral¬ 
lied for the second time and again charged, with the same 
result. And yet, they reformed the line and again charged 
this time almost reaching the belching guns themselves, 
when overpowered, they were again forced back. 

It is said that there was not a cornstalk nor a bush left 
standing on that slope that day. Henry Mercer, still liv¬ 
ing was the first man to fall wounded. A. A. Beall, captain 
of the company, seized Mercer’s gun and fought with it 
with the rest of the company. 

Historians writing of this charge justly compare it with 
Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg in the bravery shown by the 
militia companies. 

But they could not overcome the overwhelming forces 
in front of them and there was mourning in many a Wil¬ 
kinson County home that night for the boys and old men 
who had so nobly but vainly died that Wilkinson might 
be spared. 

In the meanwhile other portions of Howard’s Division 
were approaching Gordon from the direction of Milledge- 


260 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ville. Gen. Henry C. Wayne, Adjutant General of Geor¬ 
gia, was at Gordon commanding a mixed force of cadets 
from the military school at Marietta, and convicts from 
the State Penetentiary, the latter having been given their 
liberty on condition that they do military service. The fol¬ 
lowing is an extract from the thrilling account of the oc¬ 
casion in the sketch, “Kelly’s Defense of Gordon,” pub¬ 
lished in the Confederate Veteran which w r as written by 
T. D. Tinsley of Macon who was a member of Wayne’s 
staff and an eye-witness to the part played by J. R. Kelly: 

“On reaching Gordon in the afternoon, General Wayne 
made his headquarters at the Old Solomon Hotel. The 
morning following our arrival, while General Wayne,* 
Major Capers, and I were sitting on the porch of the 
tavern, a man on horseback dashed up. From the pommel 
of his saddle on one side was swinging his Winchester, 
while on the other was a pair of crutches. He had but.one 
leg, having left the other on a battlefield in Virginia, Giv¬ 
ing his name as Kelly, he offered his services as a vidette. 
General Wayne thanked him very courteously and ac¬ 
cepted his services. Kelly saluted again, touched his mare 
with his spur and, bending in his saddle, galloped rapidly 
off in the direction of Griswoldville. 

“About noon of the same day he returned and reported 
the enemy leaving Griswoldville, heading for Milledge- 
ville via Gordon. He left a second time, and soon there¬ 
after General Wayne requested me to notify the conduc¬ 
tor we were to leave for Oconee Station as soon as his 
engineer could get up steam, also to instruct Major Ca¬ 
pers to form his battalion at once and have them board 
the train. 

“This was done, and when the conductor was ready to 
move his train, General Wayne remarked to me: ‘Well, 
Adjutant, we had as well get aboard also. Let’s take the 
rear coach.' He had hardly taken his seat when Kelly gal¬ 
loped up to report the It ankee army in sight, but, seeing 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


261 


the battalion embarked, said: ‘General, what does this 
mean?’ Don’t we make a stand?’ General Wayne, from 
his window, said: ‘No, Mr. Kelly, it would be ridiculous 
to attempt to check Sherman’s army of one hundred thou¬ 
sand or more men with a force of seven hundred. We go 
to Oconee, where I may make a stand at the long bridge 
which spans the Oconee.’ Then it was that Mr. Kelly 
turned loose his wrath, cursing General Wayne for a 
white-livered cur with not a drop of red blood in his veins. 
His vocabulary of profanity was equaled only by his reck¬ 
less bravery. Finally he said: ‘Well, you damned band of 
tuck-tails, if you have no manhood left in you, I will de¬ 
fend the women and children of Gordon.’ 

“He unlimbered his old Winchester, rose in his stirrups 
and began firing at Sherman’s army, then plainly in sight. 
I was on the rear platform as the train moved slowly out, 
and we left him holding the fort, ‘alone in his glory.’ ” 

In recounting the story to the writer of his defying a 
whole Yankee regiment, Mr. Kelly said he and John R. 
Bragg who had joined him fired upon the advance guard 
of the enemy, killing one of them. The others retreated 
and as it was known that Wheeler’s Cavalry was operat¬ 
ing in this section the Yankees were slow to attack in 
force. For this reason it was some considerable time that 
they remained in undisturbed possession of the town. 
But suddenly as he described it, “The whole world 
turned to Yankees.” So he and Bragg beat a hasty re¬ 
treat east along the railroad. Thinking it advisable to 
separate, Kelly told Bragg to turn into the swamp on 
the right while he would ride on further before turning. 
In the meanwhile the pursuing bluecoats were firing a 
hail of bullets at Kelly and Bragg. In attempting to turn 
his horse into the woods, Kelly’s horse stumbled and 
before he could regain his mount he was surrounded and 
captured. A courtmartial tried Kelly and sentenced him 
to die. A few nights later, however, in crossing the Ogee- 


262 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


chee swamp, he being carried in a wagon, he succeeded 
in eluding his guards and made his escape. 

SHERMAN’S BURNING OF IRWINTON 

The news was continually reaching Irwinton of the rapid 
advance of Sherman’s army toward the sea, with rumors 
of burnings, pillaging and destruction that marked the 
places it passed. News came that the Yankees were at Mill- 
edgeville. Then came the roar of the federal artillery at 
Griswoldville, twenty miles away to the west. If the Con¬ 
federate forces could be successful, the enemy would have 
to fall back towards Milledgeville to cross the Oconee 
River for General Wayne’s troops supported by Wheeler’s 
Cavalry blocked their passage at Ball’s Ferry and at the 
railroad crossing, and this section would be saved. 

However, John R. Bragg, having escaped in the fight 
at Gordon, came with the news of that encounter. Know¬ 
ing that the Yankees were within a few miles of the town 
and that possibly everything would be destroyed, every¬ 
body began hiding all their valuables. Horses and cows 
were carried to the swamps, hogs were penned off in the 
thickets, trunks and boxes of valuables were buried. To 
this day many can point with pride to some old trunk and 
tell how it was buried full of articles when Sherman came. 
However, in many cases these precautions were of no avail. 

A few soldiers who had been disabled by wounds were 
at home at the time. Among these were John W. Lindsey, 
later Pension Commissioner of Georgia, who had been 
wounded in Virginia and was partly recovered. He with 
several others rode out along the Ridge Road to recon- 
noiter. Just as they came to the bend of the road just west 
of the Lingo farm they spied the federal cavalry regi¬ 
ment coming at a gallop and only a short distance away, 
rhe Vankees saw them at the same time and opened a hot 
fire upon them. Being outnumbered ten to one they turned 
their horses and outran the Yankees, turning to the right 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


263 


at W. L. Pennington’s farm and escaping across Big 
Sandy Creek before other detachments from the other 
roads could cut them off. Once across the creek they were 
safe since Wheeler’s Cavalry was known to be there 
in force and there was no danger of Yankee patrols ven¬ 
turing that far. A few hours later from one of the hills 
near Red Level Church they watched the flames as the 
town was burned. 

Close on the heels of the regiment of cavalry others 
began to arrive in Irwinton by hundreds. Soon the whole 
town was one mass of tents. The private homes were 
commandeered for the officers. Gen. Wm. F. (“Baldy”) 
Smith who commanded the brigade made his headquarters 
in the house where Hon. Geo. H. Carswell now lives. To 
guard against a possible surprise attack from Wheeler’s 
Cavalry, breastworks were thrown up on the sides of the 
town at strategic points, guarding the approach from every 
direction. In most cases the traces of these old redoubts 
are yet to be seen. 

No sooner had their camp duties been completed than 
the Yankees began their work of destruction. Not a chick¬ 
en, turkey, goose, pig or anything eatable was left alive. 
Barns and smokehouses were emptied of everything left 
in them, homes were looted, trunks broken into and every¬ 
where that the marauders could think of was searched 
for hidden articles. Late in the afternoon, they began ap¬ 
plying the torch; first came the courthouse, then the gran¬ 
aries in front of it and from there to the old red brick 
schoolhouse built in 1824, which was then also being used 
as a granary. By some means, possibly by slaves betraying 
their hiding places, the Yankees learned of the where¬ 
abouts of the horses, mules and cows which had been 
carried to the swamps and these were brought into the 
camps, the cows being slain for beef and the horses and 
mules taken away. 

E. J. Gilbert had several fine horses taken this way. In 


264 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the drove of horses was a mule named “Cuff” which pos¬ 
sessed the same faithful love for these horses that Ruth 
bore for Naomi, and when the Yankees captured the 
horses, the mule was determined to be captured too, so 
willy, nilly, the Yankees had a mule on their hands. One 
of the characteristics of this mule was that no one could 
ride her except the negro slave who was accustomed to 
plow her and everyone who attempted to do so regretted 
it. One of the Yankees needing a fresh mount leaped on 
this mule, and a moment later picked himself profanely 
from the ground about twenty feet away. For the next 
thirty minutes one after another of these cavalrymen rolled 
in the dust. Then a lanky western broncho buster was 
detailed to conquer the plucky, long-eared rebel and he 
finally succeeded in riding off a dejected looking mule. 

On account of the fact that Wayne and Wheeler were 
disputing the crossing of the Oconee River the divisions 
here were held up several days, until Sherman with the 
main army could advance down the road from Milledge- 
ville towards Sandersville and threaten the rear. In the 
meantime, detachments were sent out from Irwinton 
throughout the surrounding country to pillage, burn 
and destroy. So well did they perform these orders that 
when they finally left, this whole section was on the verge 
of starvation. Those who were living here at the time still 
tell of how they would pick up the grains of corn where 
the horses did not eat it and use it for food. There would 
have been terrible suffering had not the plantations out¬ 
side this path of destruction sent in provisions in abund¬ 
ance. 

The trackage of the Central of Georgia railroad was 
torn up from one end of the county to the other, the tres¬ 
tles, depots and all other property belonging to it that 
could be were burned. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


265 


PILLAGING THE HOMES OF WILKINSON 

In the meantime, bands of the Yankees would go on 
pillaging expeditions. Tradition says that W. M. White¬ 
hurst near Gordon had hidden $16,000 in gold and that 
several of the blue-coats seized his youngest son and 
threatened him until the little fellow carried them to the 
hiding place. 

Another band hearing of the wealth of W. E. Carswell 
near New Providence made him a prisoner. Failing to 
frighten him into giving up his valuables, and learning 
that “Old Ben” knew, where the money was hidden, they 
hurried to the field where they were told Ben was at work. 
Seeing a slave fitting the description of Ben, they made 
him prisoner and demanded that he tell where his mas¬ 
ter’s gold was hidden. The robbers were disappointed, 
however, when their captive burst out in such a convinc¬ 
ing manner: “Marsters, Marsters, you done cotch de 
rong nigger! Dis ain’t Ben! Dis is Peter! Ben is right un¬ 
der de hill yonder!” Turning him loose they hurried on to 
find the elusive Ben under the hill. As soon as they were 
at a safe distance, their erstwhile captive darted into the 
swamp, keeping safe his master’s secret, for he was Ben. 

Another striking instance of the loyalty of a slave was 
that of “Injun Jack” Deese, belonging to Joel Deese. 

In order to save his horses Mr. Deese and Jack drove 
them across Big Sandy Creek where Wheeler’s Cavalry 
was counted on to keep Sherman’s forces at a distance. 
Jack was hastening back to take care of his “Missuses” 
when Federal guerillas came upon him and made him 
prisoner. Learning who he was, they demanded to know 
the whereabouts of his Master. Upon his refusing to di¬ 
vulge, they put a rope around Jack’s neck and throwing it 
over the limb of a tree swung Jack into the air, keeping 
him aloft until he was about to strangle then letting him 
down. Again he refused and again he went up. The third 


266 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


time he defied them and they vowed he should die. This 
time while he was in the agonies of death the timely ap¬ 
pearance of a regular army officer who dispersed the 
murdering gang and cut the rope saved Jack’s life. 

Later, while Robert Toombs was making his escape to 
the coast, Deese sent Jack with him for a portion of the 
journey. 

WHEN BIG SANDY SWAMP WAS NO 
MAN’S LAND 

During this time Wesley King gathered into a Company 
every boy, old man, and wounded soldier at home recuper¬ 
ating south of Big Sandy Creek who could bear arms and 
kept patrols at every crossing holding back the Yankees 
who would attempt to cross. It is said that at Lightwood 
Knot Bridge, at Stephensville, a mob of them attempted 
to cross but that Dr. J. B. Duggan, armed with a shotgun, 
fired into them putting all of them to flight. As a measure 
of safety it was deemed necessary to destroy this bridge 
and fire was applied to it. 

Throughout Lord’s District the citizens were suffering 
severely from the pillaging Yankees. Everything that 
could be was stolen and carried away. So great were the 
injuries and insults inflicted that at the house on the road 
leading from Ebenezer to Outlaw’s Bridge, just west of 
its junction with the Irwinton and Ball’s Ferry road, a Wil¬ 
kinson County man came upon two Yankees attempting 
to rob the helpless inmates. He opened fire killing one 
of the Yankees and the other fled. A peculiar thing about 
this killing is that the credit for doing so has been given 
to at least three separate and distinct individuals, neither 
of whom, so far as the writer has ever heard, ever denied 
being the perpetrator. We must therefore consider it an 
unsolved mystery as to the man who killed this yankee who 
was buried near Ebenezer Church and whose body after 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


267 


the close of the war was disinterred and send to his native 
State. 

BATTLE AT RIVER BRIDGE 

In the meantime, General Wayne had stationed his 
cadets and his armed convicts at the Bridge of the Central 
of Georgia railroad. Pieces of artillery were placed in 
commanding positions and every possible defense ar¬ 
ranged. Upon the approach of the advanced guard of the 
Yankees the companies of convicts scattered leaving the 
cadets and Wheeler’s Cavalry to do the fighting. The at¬ 
tack was soon general. The Yankees threw out sharp shoot¬ 
ers along the Wilkinson County side who were continu¬ 
ously picking off the young defenders. However, there were 
crack shots among these cadets, and they were adept at 
hitting the enemy. T. D. Tinsley, whom we have hereto¬ 
fore mentioned, wrote the compiler of this fight, and 
mentioned one incident where a sharp shooter could not 
be located for a long time until after several cadets were 
wounded. Finally, he was located and a well aimed rifle 
brought him down out of the top of a tall tree. 

BALL’S FERRY SKIRMISH 

While the fight was in progress at the River Bridge 
news came to Wheeler whose forces were supporting 
Wayne that the Yankees had driven off the six men he 
had posted to guard Ball’s Ferry and were crossing with 
the purpose of attacking him in the rear. At once assem¬ 
bling a portion of his cavalry he repaired to Ball’s Ferry. 
About one hundred of the enemy were already on the 
Washington County side. Sounding the charge he swooped 
down upon them. The Yankees, panic stricken, fled. Throw¬ 
ing aside everything that impeded them, they leaped into 
the river and swam across. Abandoning the newly built en¬ 
trenchments, which may yet be seen, they sought safety 
in distance. Wheeler’s men crossed the river and picked 


268 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


up twenty-three cavalry guns, a number of overcoats, 
knapsacks, etc., capturing one man. Wheeler’s loss in 
killed was two men, while the Yankees had ten killed, the 
number of wounded unknown. (Julius in Constitutionalist, 
Nov. 24, 1864.) 

Other portions of Sherman’s Army approaching from 
Milledgeville and threatening Wheeler’s rear made it im¬ 
possible to hold the Oconee line of battle any longer and 
an orderly retreat was made. The Yankee soldiers pent up 
in Wilkinson now crossed the river and the county was 
freed of their presence. 

WAR HEROINES OF WILKINSON 

Not alone on the fields of battle were deeds of patriot¬ 
ism and bravery of sacrifice displayed. From the open¬ 
ing of the war the women of Wilkinson threw their all 
into the titanic struggle and to their untiring devotion, 
their deeds of love, and that determination to win with 
which they inspired their gray clad husbands, brothers, 
sweethearts and friends were largely responsible for the 
unexcelled feats performed by the Soldiers of Wilkinson. 

No sooner had the companies begun to assemble than 
the women started their work. Hundreds of uniforms 
must be made with the least possible delay. Hands that 
heretofore were never known to labor now soon were en¬ 
gaged in the patriotic work necessary to equip the soldiers 
for the campaigns. 

With the departure to the front of the several com¬ 
panies and the expected short duration of the war length¬ 
ening into months and then into years, the horrors of the 
war began to break upon the brave women in Wilkinson. 
The management of the slaves, the cultivation of the crops 
now fell upon the shoulders of the women. The poorer 
families whose only means of support was now in the war 
began to feel the pangs of hunger. In addition to the pro¬ 
viding of the necessities of life for the children at home 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


269 


there was the ever-growing need of sending supplies, cloth¬ 
ing, and bandages for the wounded, to the battle fronts. 
The looms were kept busy, the knitting of socks, and every¬ 
thing else woman could do was done. 

Soon the great battles were taking their toll of the 
Wilkinson county soldiers, and the pangs of grief were 
added to the other troubles of the women back home. 
The rude army hospitals were overflowing with the wound¬ 
ed and when someone conceived the idea of the Wayside 
Homes the women of Wilkinson quickly adopted the idea. 
One was provided in Toomsboro, another in Gordon, and 
whether from Wilkinson or other locality the wounded 
or sick soldier in gray found no “lack of woman’s nurs¬ 
ing” in these homes. 

Every position that a woman could fill was now filled by 
them. The schools, many vacant by reason of the men 
teachers being in the army, were now filled by the women. 
And it shall ever be to their credit that throughout the 
four years war, even during the darkest days, so strongly 
did they desire that their children should possess an educa¬ 
tion that the schools were kept open and were well at¬ 
tended. 

At McIntyre the efforts of a woman to save her home 
from burning at the hands of the Federal Officer, 
so impressed the people of the county that it is yet told. 
It was none other than the Mrs. McIntyre, heretofore 
mentioned in this history who was still serving as depot 
agent, now married again, this time to H. E. Hyman, her 
last husband serving in the southern army. When Sher¬ 
man’s forces were destroying all the property of the 
Central of Georgia Railroad, the detachment sent to 
burn that in and about McIntyre was informed that 
the house where the depot agent lived belonged to 
the railroad. The house and yard were filled with soldiers 
and the torch was about to be applied when Mrs. Hyman, 
whose husband was a Mason, recalled that her husband 


270 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


had once told her that if she was ever in great danger to 
make a certain Masonic sign. In a despairing effort she 
made this sign. The Captain commanding the detachment 
who had already mounted his horse and was riding down 
the hill towards the depot which under his orders had al¬ 
ready been fired, paused, and being a member of the fra¬ 
ternity, turned his horse and rode back up the hill. Ques¬ 
tioning her concerning her husband and also as to the title 
to the house which she explained belonged to her and not 
to the railroad company, the Captain ordered the soldiers 
out, countermanding the order to burn the house and 
placed a guard about the premises for her protection. 
(Letter of Stephen F. McIntyre to compiler.) 

The destruction by Sherman’s army, and the mounting 
toll of death in the bloody battles were sufficient to dis¬ 
courage anyone possessing less courage than the women of 
Wilkinson. But instead of murmuring, instead of discour¬ 
aging the men who were fighting the battles by recounting 
their woes, the women set about repairing the work of the 
destroying northern army. 

And, thus, the men of Wilkinson at the end of the war 
came back to find their slaves freed, their property de¬ 
stroyed, all lost save honor. Yet, with the aid of noble 
womanhood of Wilkinson they set about restoring the 
county to its own. None of their former foemen have 
proved their loyalty to the flag of the nation more than 
have these heroes and heroines of the Sixties. 


Chapter XXXVII 


THE ESCAPE OF BOB TOOMBS 

O F all the people of Georgia, Bob Toombs had no more 
loyal friends than those of Wilkinson County. This 
loyalty remained steadfast not only while he was such a 
power in the legislature prior to the war but throughout the 
war, during his escape, and also when he returned from his 
exile. Especially did they prove their love for him after 
the Yankee soldiers went to his home at Louisville and 
failed to catch him, thanks to the presence of mind of his 
wife. He immediately fled towards his friends in Wilkinson 
County. Joel Deese got word of his coming and went to 
meet him on the way. Finding him, he returned to his 
home, the large two-story house, known as the Deese Old 
Place, with his noted guest. They arrived at night and 
Toombs was given one of the rooms up stairs. The curio¬ 
sity of the negroes on the place was aroused at the mys¬ 
terious visitor, and it is probable that Mr. Deese gave 
them such information as to cause a superstitious fear, 
since there is story among the negroes to the effect that 
the nocturnal visitor so haunted this house that to this 
day he can be heard to go up the stair steps dragging 
his saddle bags. Deese kept him at his home for several 
days and then as Toombs was planning to make his way 
to the coast one day started with him towards the home 
of Wesley King, a former Senator from Wilkinson who 
was another loyal friend of Toombs. Taking by-roads 
and avoiding the town of Irwinton where there might be 
detachments of Federal soldiers, they, by some means, 
took the wrong road and when they discovered their where¬ 
abouts they were at Bethel church. Services were being 
conducted by Rev. Green B. Hughes and the sermon was 
in progress. Mr. Deese, however, not being well-acquainted 
with the way, was in a quandary and knowing that the 
( 271 ) 


272 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


greatest of secrecy was necessary, went into the church 
to see if there was any one in whom absolute dependence 
could be placed to keep silent. He recognized Rev. Mr. 
Hughes as the most likely man and calling him from the 
pulpit to one side stated the predicament. The preacher 
realizing the danger, lost no time in deciding that the “ox 
was in the ditch,” and possibly without even a benediction, 
mounted his horse and proceeded to direct Deese and 
Toombs through plantation roads to Mr. King’s.. 
Toombs spent the remainder of the day at King’s and 
was escorted from there to the home of Hon. Dan Hughes 
at the present town of Danville. 

The abrupt closing of the services at Bethel caused 
somewhat of a commotion among the congregation and 
the community and everybody was asking who was the 
man with Mr. Deese. Dr. R. J. Cochran, a former mem¬ 
ber of the legislature was then living close to Bethel 
church, where Mr. Barlow now lives, and seeing the horse¬ 
men thought he recognized Mr. Toombs, having known 
him while in the legislature. A few hours later, seeing Mr. 
I. S. King, son of Mr. Wesley King, he inquired of him 
if this was not Toombs but it seems that Mr.King did 
not give him a very satisfactory answer. As soon as Mr. 
King could do so he returned home and told his father 
of the occurrence. Immediately it was thought imperative 
that Toombs be notified that he had been recognized and 
I. S. King was sent to find Mr. Toombs and acquaint him 
with this information. He was overtaken at Mr. Hughes’ 1 
at Danville and when Mr. King arrived and told Mr. 
Hughes his business he was sent to the General’s room. 
Gen. Toombs after inquiring closely of Mr. King and 
learning who the man was that recognized him with all 
the particulars seemed satisfied and thanked him for 
coming. 


Chapter XXXVIII 

RECONSTRUCTION DAYS IN WILKINSON 

T HOUGH crushed by the disasters occasioned by the 
war, the people of Wilkinson went to work with a will. 
As they reached their homes from the battlefields, they set 
about planting their crops. This was a year of privation. 
The path of Sherman’s army was as if a cyclone had swept 
away the foodstuffs, but the more favored sections sent 
succor out of their meager supplies. 

With the harvest, however, conditions improved. The 
high prices paid for cotton helped. Soon the necessities of 
life were supplied and the people were no longer in danger 
of actual suffering. 

Nevertheless, there were other factors which were 
proving very disturbing. The slaves freed from their for¬ 
mer masters, untrained in managing their own affairs, 
were falling into idleness and crime. The carpet bagger 
and scalawag began their exploiting of the negro vote. 

The effect of this was to fuse the Whig faction of Wil¬ 
kinson with the Democrat and from thence through fear 
of “black heels on white necks” presented a united front 
against the threat of negro domination. This was intensi¬ 
fied by the disfranchisement of numbers of white voters. 

Federal troops were stationed at Irwinton and took 
charge of the elections. Negroes in lines near a quarter of 
a mile long were marched to the polls and voted. The Re¬ 
publican carpet baggers aided by the scalawags were 
then soon able to elect some of the county officers. Then 
occurred an orgy of misrule which can never be forgotten. 

Criminals, both white and black, apparently freed from 
restraint burst forth in a series of crimes throughout the 
length and breadth of the county such as never had been 
heard of before, murders, assaults, robberies, homes 
burned, and whether in the fields at work, or at the home 
( 273 ) 


274 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


no man, no woman felt safe. Some of the officers of the 
law whose duty it was to protect the homes and arrest 
offenders were flagrantly refusing to perform their duties 
and openly violating the laws, themselves. Though the 
court records show by far the greatest number of criminal 
cases ever before or since docketed in the length of time, 
yet, justice had broken down. 

So alarmed were the citizens of the outlying districts in 
many cases whole communities gathered their families 
together at night and posted sentries for protection. In 
one instance one of the frightened women’s heart be¬ 
gan throbbing so violently that she thought it was a negro 
army’s drum beating,—a near panic ensued. 

Not only did the people of the rural districts sense the 
impending dangers but Irwinton, especially, was chafing 
under the situation. Several cases occurred where insolent 
blacks jostled white persons off the sidewalks and one or 
two instances white ladies were insulted. 

The county government was paralyzed, but the State 
government was if possible in worse hands. Deveaux, a 
negro from Jones County, had been elected to represent 
Wilkinson, Twiggs and Jones in the Senate. 

Conditions continued to grow worse and all Wilkinson 
was thrown into a panic such as was never known even 
during the years when Indian massacres were threatened. 
On all tongues were rumors of negro uprisings. Notes 
were intercepted near Toomsboro that showed unmistak¬ 
ably that the negroes, incited by the Republican carpet¬ 
baggers and scalawags were on the verge of rising against 
the whites and all the horrors of a racial war seemed im¬ 
minent. 

Under stress of the dangerous situation there suddenly 
rose the “Invisible Empire.” It is said that Dr. T. A. 
Simmons was the head of the Wilkinson County Klans- 
men. Many, both white and black, were warned to change 
their manner of living. Those who refused were punished. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


275 


In the meantime, however, Congress had enacted a law 
which interfered with the Klan’s activities and which gave 
Federal courts jurisdiction to try cases charged to the 
Klan. 

In 1872, a very serious offense having been committed 
near Irwinton by a negro, he was punished by a delegation 
sent by the Klan. A report was made to the Federal dis¬ 
trict court then sitting in Savannah and unknown to the 
citizens of the county, warrants were issued for a large 
number of prominent men of the county alleged to have 
been recognized by the negro. 

Quickly and without warning a detachment of Federal 
troops disembarked from the midnight train at McIntyre 
one night and took up the line of march towards Irwinton, 
Flarrv Louther and two other negroes guiding them. 

The negroes knew exactly where the men lived they 
were seeking. First, they went to the home of Dr. T. A. 
Simmons, whom they arrested, then to H. E. Hyman, Mil- 
ton Lindsey, Eli Peacock, Charley Peacock, W. C. D. 
Carlisle and G. G. Gilbert in succession. Other detach¬ 
ments were sent for Buck Dixon, Jethro VanLandingham 
and Bob Hyman who lived at and near Toomsboro. By 
nine o’clock the next day ten had been arrested and were 
enroute to Savannah, while many others named in the 
warrants were unable to be found. 

For some unknown reason the forces of soldiers or¬ 
dered to arrest some of the citizens of Gordon failed to 
reach their destination until the night following the arrests 
at Irwinton. With the necessary information they went 
from house to house until they had arrested a large number, 
estimated by some as about twenty-five men, a portion of 
whom were B. I. Stevens, later sheriff of the county, 
Frank Jones, Dock Sanders, Bill Bridgers, Lawrence 
Butts, Tom Whitehurst, Jim Fountain, Frank Kenning- 
ton, Cicero Dennard, Charley Solomon and Jim Kirkpat¬ 
rick. 


276 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Having arrested the above named men, the soldiers ad¬ 
vanced to the home of “Shoog” Smith and invited him to 
come out and surrender. His reply, however, was to con¬ 
sign the whole of yankeedom to the fiery flames. Where¬ 
upon, they started to batter down his door and take him 
by force. “Shoog” waxed more eloquent with epithets 
growing in venom and swore that the first one to. cross the 
threshold would die. He soon succeeded in convincing the 
soldiers that a resumption of the war was imminent and 
they departed for Savannah, leaving “Shoog” in triumph¬ 
ant possession of the scene of hostilities. 

At Savannah every possible courtesy was shown them 
by the citizens of that city. They were met at the train by 
a delegation of friends and upon their arrival at the jail, 
the jailer, Warren Russell, treated them more like guests 
than prisoners. 

The greatest excitement was rife in the county as the 
crowds gathered at Irwinton to send aid to their 
friends. No man knew but what if he showed much inter¬ 
est in the defense of the men he would be arrested as a 
member of the Klan. The ruin of their fortunes by the war 
had left the county so badly impoverished that only a 
small number were acceptable on bonds. But few flinched 
from their duty to their imprisoned countrymen. Every 
road to Irwinton was soon crowded by men from all sec¬ 
tions of the county as the news spread that these men were 
arrested and soon the trains were crowded by citizens 
bent on gaining the release of these men on bond. It is said 
that no man was exerting himself more than John W. 
Lindsey, later Pension Commissioner of Georgia and 
Alexander Baum, a Polish Jew, who twenty-five years be¬ 
fore had come from Poland, settled at Irwinton and 
opened a store, "and whose memory is revered to this day 
by the people of Wilkinson for what he did in this crisis. 

Immediately after their arrival at the Savannah jail 
motion was made for the bonds for the defendants to be 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


277 


fixed. The exorbitant amount of $10,000 was fixed on 
each one except Dr. Simmons and Bob Hyman, and theirs 
was assessed at $100,000 each. The months in jails await¬ 
ing trial seemed the only alternative for the prisoners. 

But no sooner had Baum arrived than things began to 
happen. Undauntedly he got busy and from one wealthy 
Jew to another he went and made an appeal for them to 
rally to his aid. Thanks to the help of the Jews, the 
wealthy merchants, and cotton-buyers of Savannah, bonds 
were arranged after eight days of effort. 

In the meantime, the Federal grand jury was called into 
session to take up this case, whose foreman was the well 
known Macon negro, Jeff Long, later postmaster of Ma¬ 
con, and on the grand jury was one lone white man, all the 
others being negroes. This was not an encouraging pros¬ 
pect for the Wilkinson County men who were facing the 
indictments, especially in view of the fact that the negro 
witnesses were swearing positively as to the identity of 
the accused, the majority of whom were innocent of the 
charges. To add to the trouble of the defendants it was 
learned that every traverse juror was a negro. 

However, to the astonishment of everyone, interest 
began to lag in the prosecution of the case. Though with 
positive evidence from the negro witnesses, the grand jury 
refused to indict any except Dr. Simmons, H. E. Hyman, 
and Robert Hyman. Even these indictments were never 
brought to trial, but w T ere nol-prossed at a later term of 
-court. 

About this time the Democrats regained control of the 
management of the county affairs, as well as of the state 
government, and there was a general disbanding of the 
Klux Klan. 

THE KLAN’S LAST MEETING 

However, there was an after effect of the activities of 
this organization. In the lower section of the county a 


278 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


crowd of irresponsible younger men determined upon imi¬ 
tating the Klan and formed one of their own. A fancied 
grievance of a member against a prominent citizen of the 
section arising it was decided that the offender should suf¬ 
fer the Klan penalty. The meeting of the pseudo Klan 
was to be near Walnut Creek Church at a fixed hour one 
night. The secret leaked out, and the members of the old 
Klan notified. Quickly a peremptory summons was sent 
out to every available member of the disbanded Klan to 
meet. The discarded hoods were resurrected and that 
night the roads were filled with white clad horsemen has¬ 
tening to the point of rendezvous. In the meantime, the 
clandestine Klan had met and arranged their plans. Just 
before they were ready to start there came a clatter of 
horse feet from every direction and before a man could 
escape, the real Klan had completely surrounded the band 
and made prisoners of every one. Then followed the dis¬ 
robing of the prisoners who were dressed in the Klan 
robes and hoods. A warning was deemed sufficient and 
upon their promises no further action was taken. 

The following may help in showing how the Demo¬ 
cratic ticket carried the election of 1872 : 

A candidate for one office had as his opponent a negro. 
In recounting the story to the writer he said, “This nigger 
had me beat to a frazzle and I knew it, so I went to him 
the day before the election and said to him, ‘Nigger, when 
me and you started in this race, this county was a mighty 
big county, but it has been getting smaller and smaller. It 
is now so small that it is too little for me and you, too. 
One of us has just got to move. My business is so arranged 
that it is inconvenient for me to move, so it is just up to 
you. Well, do you know, the next day that nigger was 
gone, and I didn’t have any opposition, Ki! Yi!” 

PROHIBITION IN WILKINSON 

Wilkinson County from its earliest days had numerous 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


279 


citizens who recognized the pernicious effects of whiskey 
and were always ready to do all in their power to stop 
its sale. It was in 1881 before an Act of the Legislature 
was passed prohibiting the sale of it here. During all these 
years many of the stores sold whiskey as a drawing card 
for trade. “Penny Row,” the row of stores in front of the 
courthouse, was notorious for its open bars. On public 
days considerable drunkenness was in evidence. Especially 
on election days, during the time the negro vote was such 
a factor in the county administration, the town was filled 
with drunken men, both white and black. On such occa¬ 
sions bloody brawls were frequent occurrences. 

These, perhaps, did more than anything else to bring 
to pass the efforts of such men as Charles Culpepper, Wil¬ 
liam I. Chambers, Charles Hooks and other prohibi¬ 
tionists. 


NEWSPAPERS OF WILKINSON 

The county depended on others for its newspapers un¬ 
til about 1870 when the “Appeal” began its publication at 
Toomsboro. A little later the “Southerner” was begun at 
Irwinton. Soon after this these two were consolidated and 
until 1889 this was The “Southerner-Appeal” and was the 
official organ of the county. In that year it was moved to 
Gordon and became known as the “Gordon Press.” For a 
short while “The Blade” was published at Gordon. Later 
the “World” was published at Irwinton. In 1894 the 
“Bulletin” was started at Irwinton and this was the only 
paper of the county until a few years ago the “Wilkinson 
County News” was begun at Gordon. 












■ 















































































































































. 
































































* 














































. 







APPENDIX 

Documents, abstracts from records, lists of County 
officers, rosters of Wilkinson County companies in the 
War Between the States, etc. 


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































TREATY AT FORT WILKINSON IN 1802 


A Treaty of Limits Between the United States of America and the 
Creek Nation of Indians. 

Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, by 
James Wilkinson, of the State of Maryland, brigadier general in the 
army of the United States; Benjamin Hawkins, of North Carolina, 
and Andrew Pickens, of South Carolina, commissioners plenipo¬ 
tentiary of the United States on the one part, and the Kings, Chiefs, 
Head Men and Warriors of the Creek Nation, in council assembled, 
on the other part, have entered into the following articles and con¬ 
ditions, viz: 

Article 1. The Kings, Chiefs, Head Men and Warriors of the 
Creek Nation in behalf of the said Nation, do by these presents 
cede to the United States of America, all that tract and tracts of 
land, situate, lying and being within and between the following 
bounds, and the lines and limits of the extinguished claims of the 
said nation heretofore ascertained and established by treaty. That 
is to say: beginning at the upper extremity of the high shoals of the 
Appalachee river, the same being a branch of the Oconee river, and 
on the southern bank of the same; running thence a direct course to 
a noted ford of the south branch of Little river, called by the In¬ 
dians Chat-to-chuc-co-hat-chee; thence a direct line to the main 
branch of Commissioners creek, where the same is intersected by 
the path leading from the Rock landing to the Ocmulgee Old Towns; 
thence a direct line to Palmetto creek, where the same is intersected 
by the Uchee path, leading from the Oconee to the Ocmulgee river; 
thence down the middle waters of the said creek to the Oconee 
river, and w r ith the western bank of the same to its junction with 
the Ocmulgee river; thence across the Ocmulgee river to the south 
bank of the Altamaha river, and down the same at low water mark 
to the lower bank of Goose creek; and from thence by a direct line 
to the mounts on the margin of the Okefinokau swamp, raised and 
established by the commissioners of the United States and Spain, 
at the head of the St. Mary’s river; thence down the middle waters 
of the said river to the point where the old line of demarcation 
strikes the same; thence with the said old line to the Altamaha 
river, and up the same to Goose creek; and the said Kings, Chiefs, 
Head Men, and Warriors, do relinquish and quit claim to the United 
States, all their right, title, interest and pretentions, in and to the 
tract and tracts of land within and between the bounds and limits 
aforesaid forever. 


(283) 


284 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Article 2. The commissioners of the United States, for and in 
consideration of the foregoing concession on the part of the Creek 
nation, and in full satisfaction for the same, do hereby covenant 
and agree with the said nation, in behalf of the United States, that 
the said States shall pay to the said nation, annually and every 
year, the sum of three thousand dollars, and one thousand dollars 
for the term of ten years, to the Chiefs who administer the govern¬ 
ment agreeably to a certificate under the hands and seals of the 
commissioners of the United States of this date; and also twenty- 
five thousand dollars in the manner and form following, viz: Ten 
thousand dollars in goods and merchandise, the receipt of which is 
hereby acknowledged; ten thousand dollars to satisfy certain debts 
due from Indians and white persons of the Creek country to the 
factory of the United States; the said debts after the payment 
aforesaid, to become the right and property of the Creek nation, 
and to be recovered for their use in such way and manner as the 
President of the United States may think proper to direct; five 
thousand dollars to satisfy claims for property taken by individuals 
of the said nation from the citizens of the United States, subsequent 
to the treaty of Colerain, which has been or may be claimed and es¬ 
tablished agreeably to the provisions of the act for regulating trade 
and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the 
frontiers. And it is further agreed that the United States shall fur¬ 
nish to the said nation two sets of blacksmiths’ tools, and men to 
work them, for the term of three years. 

Akticle 3. It is agreed by the contracting parties, that the garri¬ 
son or garrisons which may be found necessary for the protection of 
the frontiers, shall be established upon the land of the Indians, at 
such place or places as the President of the United States may think 
proper to direct, in the manner and on the terms established by the 
treaty of Colerain. 

Article 4. The contracting parties to these presents do agree 
that this treaty shall become obligatory and of full effect, so soon 
as the same shall be ratified by the President of the United States 
of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate 
thereof. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the commissioners plenipoten¬ 
tiary of the United States, the Kings, Chiefs, Head Men and War¬ 
riors of the Creek Nation, have hereunto subscribed their names and 
affixed their seals at the camp of the commissioners of the United 
States, near Fort Wilkinson, on the Oconee river, this sixteenth day 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


285 


of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
two, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty-sixth. 


Efau X Haujo 

1 Tustunnuggee X Thlucco 

2 Hopoie X Micco 

3 Hopoie X O-lah-tau 
Tallassee X Micco 
Tusseikia X Micco 
Micco X Thluc-co 
Tuskenehau X Chapco 
Chou-Wacke X. Le-micco 


James Wilkinson, (L. S.) 

Benjamin Hawkins, (L. S.) 

Andrew Pickens, (L. S.) 
Toosce X Hatche-micco 
Hopoie X Yauholo 
Hoithlewau X Le-micco 
EFAU-HAUJO X OF COOLOOME 
CUS-SE-TUH X Tus-tun-nug-gee 
Tal-tis-chau X Micco 
Yauf-kee X Emautla Haujo 
Coosaudee X Tus-tun-nug-gee 
Tal-tis-chau X Micco 


Nenehom X Oh-tau Tus-tun-nun-nug-gee Micco 
Is Fau-nau X Tus-tun-nug-gee Cowetuh X Tus-tun-nug-gee 
Eufaulau X Tus-tun-nug-gee Hopoithle X Haujo 
Tustunnue X Hoithle Poyuch Woc-see Haujo 
Is-hopei X Tus-tun-nug-gee 

Uchty-utchee X Tus-tun-nug-gee 
Okelesau X Hut-kee Ochewee X Tus-tun-nug-gee 

Pahose X Micco Toosehatchee Haujo 

Micke X Emautlau Isfau-nee X Haujo 

Hoethle-po-yau X Haujo Ho-poith-le X Ho-poi-e 

Cusseuh X Haujo Oloh-tuh X Emautlau 


INTERPRETERS 

Timothy Barnard Alexander Cornells 

Joseph Islands 


Alexander Macomb, Jun’r, Secretary to the Commissioners 
William R. Boothe, Captain 2d Regiment Infantry 
T. Blackburn, Lieutenant Com. Comp. D. 

John B. Barnes, Lieutenant United States A. 

Wm. Hill, Agt. C. D. 


NOW BE IT KNOWN, That I, Thomas Jefferson, President of 
the United States of America, having seen and considered the said 
treaty, do, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate there¬ 
of, accept, ratify, and confirm the same, and every clause and ar¬ 
ticle thereof. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the seal of the Uni- 


286 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ted States to be hereunto affixed, and signed the same with my hand. 

DONE at the City of Washington the eleventh day of January, 
in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and three, and 
of the Independence of the United States the twenty-seventh. 

Thomas Jefferson. 

By the President, 

James Madison, Secretary of State. 


WILKINSON COUNTY—ESTABLISHED MAY 11, 1803 

Justices of the Inferior Court 
(Held office;during good behavior) 

Samuel Beckham, Dec. 7, 1805-6; Thomas Gilbert, Dec. 7, 1805-6; 
Lewis Lanier, Dec. 7, 1805-6; William O’Neal, Dec. 7, 1805-6; Wil¬ 
liam Randolph, .... (service closed Jan. 2, 1806). 

Robert Jackson, 1806; Thomas Fairchild, 1806; Samuel Dick, 
1808; Charles Ray, Jr., 1808; Stephen Johnston (Johnson), Dec. 
1809; William Cauley (Collsey), Dec., 1809, 13; Abraham, 1810 (vice 
Thomas Fairchild, resigned) 13, 17, 33. 

(Four-year terms) 

James S. Baskin, 1813; William Lord, Sr., 1813; Charles Wright, 
1813; Robert Jackson, 1814 (vice William Lord, Sr., resigned); 
James C. Cunningham, 1816 (vice Charles Wright, resigned) ; 
Adam Hunter, 1816 (vice William Cawley, resigned); John Hatcher, 
Jr., 1817; Samuel Williams, 1817; George Dykes, 1817; Joseph Ross, 
1817; Samuel Beall, 1819 (vice Ross resigned) 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 
57; Anson Ball, 1819 (vice Dykes resigned) ; Osborn Wiggins, 1820 
(vice Williams resigned) ; Peter McArthur, 1821; Thomas McGinty, 
1821; John Hardy (Hardie) 1821, 25, 29; Merrit Etheridge (Eth- 
eredge), 1821, 34, 37, 41, 45, 49; John Smith, 1821; Gerard Burch, 
1822 (vice Smith, deceased), 25; Lewellen (or Lluellen) M. Robi¬ 
son, 1825; James Neal, 1825, 29; John F. Simmons, 1825; Thomas 
Crutchfield, 1825 (vice Burch, resigned) Solomon B. Murphy, 1826 
(vice Robison) Robert Crutchfield, .... (service closed Jan., 1828) ; 
Richard Lewis, 1828 (vice Crutchfield); James Mooring, 1829; 
Carlton Grier, 1829; Adam Brannen, 1829; Charles Riley, 1831; 
Thomas T. Prestwood, 1831; Peter Burkholts, 1831; Daniel M. Hail, 
1833; Benjamin Mitchell, 1833; Charles Wright, 1833; Lewellen 
Robison, 1833; Thomas T. Prestwood .... (found serving in Jan., 
1835) ; Henry Chambers, 1834; William G. Little, 1835; Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, 1836,37,41; L. M. Robinson (Robison) 1837; William Fisher, 
1837; Solomon Arnold, 1838; Jethro Dean, 1841; Benjamin L. Scott, 
1841; James Fountain, 1841; Cary Cox, 1845; Green B. Burney, 
1845, 49; William Hughes, 1845; James Gibson, 1847; James C. 
Bower, 1848; James C. Bowen, 1849; James Gibson, 1849; Ellis 
Harrell, 1849; William N. Bowen, 1850; Wyatt Meredith, 1851; 
William O. Beall, 1853; Leroy Fleetwood, 1853; Charles Young, 
1853; John M. Ware. 1853; George W. Bishop, 1855; John M. Clark, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


287 


1855; Joel Hardie, 1856, 57; Josiah H. Jones, 1857; William A. 
Hall, 1857; Jonathan Rivers, 1857, 59; Seaborn J. Stubbs, 1858; 
Eson Green, 1858; Eliazar Cumming, 1859, 65; Wiley Holland, 1861; 

J. T. Hughes, 1861; O. H. P. Rawls, 1861, 65; James Lord, 1861; 

W. M. Whitehurst, 1861, 65; R. F. Rozar, 1865; Daniel Bourke, 
1865. 

WILKINSON COUNTY—ESTABLISHED MAY 11, 1803 
Tax Receivers 

Arthur Burney, 1807, 08; Daniel S. Pearce, 1809, 10; Thomas 
Hughs, 1811; John Hatcher, Jr., 1812, 14; Henry W. Raley, 1813; 
William Beck, 1815; James Lindsey, 1816, 17; Wright Mims, 1818;-*—' 
Robert Rozar, 1819; Osborn Wiggins, 1820; Benjamin Exum, 1821, 

22, 23; John Riley, 1824, 25, 26, 27; Abram Stephens, 1828; James 
Jackson, 1829, 30, 31, 32; James Lewis, 1833, 34, 35; James Young, 
1936; Norman McCrainy, 1837, 38, 39; Wiley (or Wiley B.) Shep¬ 
herd, 1840, 41; George W. Tarpley, 1842, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49; 
James Hartley, 1850, 51,-52,-53,-54,-55,-56,-57; Jackson Pearson, 
1855-56; Iverson Cannon, 1857; Jesse B. Carroll, 1857-58; William 
Pace, 1858-59,-60,-61; J. T. Brannan, 1862-64; N. W. Hughes, 1864- 
66, 83, 87, 89; Lewis M. Ethridge, 1866; R. Nelson, 1868-71; Law¬ 
rence Butts, 1873, 77; L. L. Hall, 1875; J. F. Burke, 1879; Augustus 
H. Rice, 1881; J. W. Boone, 1885; W. M. Poole, 1891-93; J. F. Lind¬ 
sey, 1895; J. W. Brooks, 1896; J. B. Butler, 1898, 1900-02, 1908-10- 
12-14-16; C. W. Bell, 1906; G. T. Stapleton, 1920 to date. 

WILKINSON COUNTY—ESTABLISHED MAY 11, 1803 
Tax Collectors 

William Oneal, 1807, 08; Benjamin Exum, 1809, 10; Joseph Jack- 
son, 1811; Daniel S. Pearce, 1812; Jesse Smith, 1813; Thomas T. 
Prestwood, 1814, 15, 16, 35, 36; Thomas McGinty, 1817; Isaac Hall, 
1818, 19, 20, 21, 22; Charles Riley, 1822, 25, 26, 27, 28; Jesse Pittman, 
1823, 28, 29, 30, 32; Abraham Stevens (Stephens), 1833, 34; Wiley 
Miller, 1837; Briant O’Bannion, 1838, 39, 42-43; Jesse C. Jackson, 
1840; James Jackson, 1841; Wiley Holland, 1844, 45, 47, 48, 49, 

50, 51, 52, 53; James P. Granade, 1853-54; Isaac Lindsey, 1854- 
55-56-57-58; John T. Brannan, 1858-59-60-61-64; John McArthur, 
1864-66; Elbert J. Davidson, 1866; George Payne, 1868-71; W. C. 

D. Carslisle, 1873, 1881; J. M. Langford, 1875; James H. Jackson, 
1877-79; Andrew Chambers, 1880; Joel A. Smith, 1883; S. I. 
Dennard, 1885; J. P. Bloodworth, 1887; Joel T. Pierce, 1889-91; 

J. H. Bateman, 1893-95; B. H. Jackson, 1896-98; W. T. Dupree, 1900- 
02; J. A. Branan, 1905-06; J. H. Pennington, 1908-10-12; J. B. 
McCook, 1915-16; I. B. Stinson, 1920-24; R. A. Bell, 1924-30; O. W. 
Bell, 1930. 


Surveyors of Wilkinson County 

Britton McCullers, 1806; John Thomas, 1807; Francis Beck, 1809; 
David Rowland, 1811, 14; James Rabb, 1817; Levin McBride, 1818; 
John Moreland, 1820, 24; Joh-n W. Hyde, 1822; Jesse Moreland, 
1826; James Kenna, 1828; James Kinney, 1830-32-34-38-40-42-44; 
Norman McRaeny, 1834-36, 1852, 54-56; John T. Branan, 1846-48-56- 



288 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


58, 64, 71, 79-81, 83-85-87-89-91-95; Joseph McCook, 1861; J. H. 
Fleetwood, 1862-64; Henry K. Boyington, 1866; H. F. Carswell, 
1873-75; J. H. Hoover, 1877, 93, 1905, 06, 08; J. L. Farmer, 1896- 
98-1900; J. T. McArthur, 1900; W. F. Cannon, Jr., 1902; P. Z. Lord, 
1912-15-16, 24-28-32; L. H. Temples, 1920-24. 

Clerks of the Superior Court 

Archibald Mclntire, 1806, 1809; Andrew Shepherd, 1810; Joseph 
Delk, 1811, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26; Seaborn Delk, 1828; Jeremiah 
Beall, 1829, 32, 34, 36, 37; Benjamin Exum, 1837-38; Thos. M. Tarp- 
ley, 1838, 40, 42, 44, 46-47; Alfred V. McCardel, 1847, 48, 52, 54; 
George W. Tarpley, 1854-56, 58, 60-61-62, 64, 66, 68, 73; E. T. 
Hughes, 1864-66; A. J. Porter, 1871; John T. Hughes, 1874, 75, 
1881, 83-85-87-89-91-93; H. F. Carswell, 1877, 79; J. W. Weaver, 
1895; A. E. Burney, 1896-98, 1900, 02-4; Ira B Stinson, 1906-8-10- 
12-14-16; A. S. Boone, 1920 to date. 

Coroners of Wilkinson County 

Charles Ray, 1806; James Taylor, 1807; John Eady, Jr., 1809; 
Robert Garrett, 1811; Job McClendon, 1814, 18; Thomas Lewis, 
1816; John Hardy, 1817; Thomas Gray, 1820-22-24, 32-34; Richard 
Waters, 1826-28, 1834-36-38-40, 44; Thomas Jackson, 1841-42, 48-50- 
52; John Temples, 1846-47; William Davis, 1847-48; Samuel J. 
Bush, 1852-54-56-58, 62-64-66-68-71; William Kennington, 1858- 
60; Henry Bloodworth, 1861; S. A. McCarty, 1873; L. L. Peacock, 
1875-77, 81-83-85; W. B. Ethridge, 1887-89; R. D. McCullars, 1891, 
95, 1912; W. J. Player, 1893-95-96; J. E. Hancock, 1898-1900-02-04- 
06; W. A. Deason, 1908-10, 14, 20; Ivey Justice, 1916-19; C. C. 
Thompson, to date. 


Sheriffs of Wilkinson County 

Edmund Hogan, 1806; Willis Anderson, 1807; Edmund Nunn, 
1809; Reddick Bell, 1810; William Beck, 1811, 16; Joseph Jackson, 
1814, 18; James Lindsey, 1820, 24, 28; Wright Mims, 1822; Daniel 
M. Hall, 1826; John Riley, 1828; Isaac Hall, 1829, 32; James Ross, 
1830-32; Solomon B. Murphy, 1832-34, 36, 42, 46-48; Buckner Pitt¬ 
man, 1834-36; Wyatt Meredith, 1838; William Cooper, 1840-41; 
Ellis Harville, 1841-42; Enoch Garrett, 1844; Walter W. Beall, 
1844, 48, 52-53; James Taylor, 1850-52; William P. Johns, 1854; 
Bryant O’Bannon, 1856, 58-60; James Bloodworth, 1858; Leroy 
Fleetwood, 1861; Isaac Lindsey, 1862-64; James Pittman, 1864- 
66; J. W. Brannan, 1866, 1875; M.' Deason, 1871; T. M. Freeman, 
1873; R. J. Carr, 1877; George W. Wright, 1879; Israel J. Fontaine, 
1881-83-85-87-89-91; Nat Hughes, 1893; E. C. Pierce, 1895; B. I. 
Stevens, 1896-98; J. M. Burke, 1900-02; J. L. Byington, 1904-06-08; 
W. J. Player, 1910; L. P. Player, 1912, 16, 20-24-28; C. H. Parker, 
1914; Thurmond Sanders, 1929. 

Clerks of the Inferior Court. 

William Brown, 1806; Samuel Durham, 1807; Thomas Durham, 
1809; Joseph Culpepper, 1811; Ransom Worrell, 1814; William 
Calhoun, 1816-18; Richard L. Watson, 1820; Jesse Smith, 1822; 
Littleton Maddox, 1824, 26; Hansford Davis, 1828; Valentine A. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


289 


Brazzeal, 1832-34-85; Ambrose R. Wright, 1835-36-38; William H. 
Wright. 1840; Thos. M. Beall, 1842, 47, 48-50-52-54-56-58-60-61- 
62-64; Augustus B. Raiford, 1844-46-47; Frank Chambers, 1866; 
E. J. Gilbert, 1866. 

(This Court was abolished in 1866). 

Treasurers of Wilkinson County 

E. J. Gilbert, 1866; A. H. Cumming, 1868; J. N. Mason, 1871; 
T. N. Beall, 1873; Ellis Harville, 1875-77; A. A. Beall, 1878-79; 
Eli Peacock, 1881; S. A. McCarty, 1882-83; W. I. Chambers, 1885- 
87; G. R. Butler, 1889-91-93; Joel T. Pierce, 1895; J. F. Williams, 
1896-98-1900; E. C. Lindsey, 1902-04-06-08-10-12; J. T. Stanley, 
1913-14; Joe Youngblood, 1916-20. 

(Treasurer’s Office was abolished in 1920.) 

Representatives of Wilkinson County 

John Thomas Fairchilds, 1806-07-08, 11-12, 17-18-19-20-21-22; 
Arthur Fort, 1809; Daniel Hicks, 1810; Abram Miles, 1813 : Mat¬ 
thew Carswell, 1814-15; Chas. Culpepper, 1816;'Joseph Ross, 1819; 
John Pearson, 1821; Morton N. Burch, 1822-23; Osborn Wiggins, 
1823-24-25-26-27; Benjamin Mitchell, 1824-25; Benjamin Exum, 
1826-27,31-32; Robert Hatcher, 1828-29-30-31-32; John F. Simmons, 
1828; James Neal, 1829-30; Joel Rivers, 1833-34-35-36-37-39; Wm. 
G. Little, 1833-34; James Hatcher, 1835-36-37, 40-41; Wesley King, 
1838-39; Solomon B. Murphy, 1838-40; Robt. Rozar, 1841-42-43, 
45-47; Wm. A. Vincent, 1842-43; Bryant O’Bannon, 1849-0; E. 
J. Gilbert, 1851-52; James Taylor, 1853-4-5-6; T. R. Conley, 1857- 
58-59; R. J. Cochran, 1861-62; S. T. Player, 1863-64; John Bragg, 
1865-6; C. H. Hooks, 1868-69-70, 71-72; W. C. Adams, 1873-4; J. B. 
Duggan, 1875-6; N. C. Hughes, 1877; Frank Chambers, 1878-9; 
Benjamin F. Fordham, 1880-1-6-7; M. G. Smith, 1882-3; J. W. 
Lindsey, 1884-5; Joel A. Smith, 1888-9; J. U. Parker, 1890-1; J. 
P. Bloodworth, 1892-3-4-5; J. F. Burke, 1896-7; James R. Rawls, 
1898-9; G. O. A. Daughtry, 1900-1; G. H. Carswell, 1902-3-4, 1909- 
10, 1919-20-21-22; C. H. Adams, 1905-6-7-8; J. L. Byington, 1911-12 
(died) John T. Dupree (2nd Term) ; W. W. Lee, 1913-14; W. A. 
Jones, 1915-16-17-18; W. L. Dixon, 1923-24; J. F. Bloodworth, 
1925-26-27-28; E. B. Hubbard, 1929-30. 

Commissioners of Roads and Revenues 

The Board of County Commissioners of Roads and Revenue for 
Wilkinson County was created Feb. 13, 1873, and William A. Hall, 
Oliver H. P. Rawls, Augustus Pennington, John McArthur and 
Nathaniel C. Hughes were appointed commissioners. (Acts 1873, 
p. 303). 

Wiley Holland, L. A. Hall, Isaac Johnson, C. H. Branan, Joshua 
Walker, 1875; Thos. M. Freeman, Jno. R. Green, Liman A. Hall, 
Isaac W. Davis, Andrew W. Spence, 1877; J. B. Duggan, N. C. 
Hughes, J. R. Bearfield, J. W. Davis, A. W. Spence, 1879; H. A. 
Hall, 1880; Morgan M. Bloodworth, Jas. R. Rawls, John R. Bear- 
field, Hansford A. Hall James A. Mason, 1881; R. H. Carswell, H. 
A. Hall, M. M. Bloodworth, J. R. Rawls, Andrew Chambers, 1883; 
J. R. Rawls, Andrew Chambers, Vinson S. James, H. A. Hall, R. H. 



290 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Carswell, 1885; M. G. Smith, B. I. Stevens, J. K. Arrington, J. A. 
Sheffield, T. M. Freeman, 1887; W. A. Hall, Jr., 1888; T. M. Free¬ 
man, W. A. Hall, B. I. Stevens, J. K. Arrington, W. W. Pool, 1889; 
W W. Pool, T. M. Freeman, W. A. Hall, Jr., J. K. Arrington, B. I. 
Stevens, Joel A. Smith, 1891; T. M. Freeman, D. J. Stevens, J. K. 
Arrington, W. A. Hall, Jr., Joel A. Smith, 1893; A. G. Bailey, R. 
C. Hall, J. T. Davis, J. L. Robertson, J. P. Jones, 1895; M. Meredith, 
1896; R. S. Smith, John Lord, J. D. Bales, M. Davis, J. R. Green, 
1896; J. T. Dupree, Ira E. Dupree, C. E. Davis, J. A. Smith, J. K. 
Arrington, 1898; William A. Jones, 1899; J. L. Dupriest, J. T. 
Dupree, W. P. Duncan, C. H. Adams, J. L. Freeman, 1900; J. L. 
Freeman, C. H. Adams, J. U. Parker, J. R. Hatfield, B. I. Stevens, 
1902; J. U. Parker, J. M. Shepherd, W. A. Hall, Sr., J. J. Butler, 
J. M. Fountain, 1904; W. E. Burney, L. W. Lee, C. H. Richardson, 
J. A. Yarborough, W. I. Dixon, 1907; D. E. Tindall, R. E. Spears, 
J. R. Hatfield, F. Lord, R. J. Stuckey, 1908; J. R. Hatfield, W. H. 
Freeman, Edgar Adams, 1911; B. I. Stevens, 1913; J. R. Hudson, 
1915; S. W. Lee, 1917; Dr. J. H. Duggan, 1918-1924; W. C. Den- 
nard, 1920-1926; E. O. Smith. 1920-28; Joe Brown Green, 1927 to 
date; C. T. Lord, 1929, R. E. Evans, 1925 to date. 


County School Commissioners 

William S. Baker, 1885-88-92-96-1900; Paul F. Duggan, 1900- 
1908; J. S. Wood, 1908-10. 

(Changed to County Superintendent of Education in 1911.) 

J. H. Hoover, 1910-17; Victor Davidson, 1917-1925; J. T. Dupree, 
Jr., 1925-29; J. L. Lawrence, 1929 (died) ; J. L. Pittman, 1929. 


Ordinary of Wilkinson County 

Drury Gilbert, 1807; Archibald Mclntire, 1808; Nevin McBride, 
1810-13-15; Samuel Beall, 1852-56-58; James C. Bower, 1858-60; 
Ellis Harville, 1861; J. Rivers, 1864-66; Franklin Chambers, 1866; 
C. M. Lindsey, 1868; W. F. Cannon, 1873; Thomas N. Beall, 1877- 
1881; W. C. D. Carlisle, 1885; H. F. Carswell, 1889-93-96; J. E. 
Butler, 1899-1900-04-08-12-15, 25-29-32; J. S. Davis, 1916-24. 


Senators of Wilkinson County 

John Ball, 1808, 10; Robert Jackson, 1806, 09, 11; John Hatcher, 
1812-13-14-15-16-17-18, 20; Wm. Beck, 1819, 21; Samuel Beall, 
1822-23-24-25-26-27, 34, 36-37-38-39-40; Daniel M. Hall, 1828-29- 
30-31-32-33; W. G. Little, 1835; Joel Rivers, 1841-42; W. Meredith, 
1843; 10th District (Old System). Wesley King, 1845; Augustus 
B. Raiford, 1847; Edward J. Blackshear, 1849-0; James Ross, 1851- 
2; Wilkinson County. A. E. Cochran, 1853-4; E. Cumming, 1855-6; 
R. J. Cochran, 1857-8; Wm. M. Whitehurst, 1859-0; 21st District 
(New System) ; D. N. Smith, 1861-2; E. S. Griffin, 1863-4-5-6-; Wm. 
Griffin, 1868-69-70; James B. Deveaux (1) 1871-72-73-74- W 

S’ D « n l e T 1 ’ *875-76-77; A. S. Hamilton, 1878-9; R. L. Story, 1880-1; 
D. M Hughes, 1882-3; H. B. Ridley, 1884-5; D. N. Smith, 1886-7; 
rio?'o Sh ,?, nn T° n ’ 1888 - 9 ; Richard Johnson, 1890-1; Frank Chambers, 
Harrison, 1894-5; James R. VanBuren, 1896-7, 1902- 
* 898 ; 9 ; S. W. Yopp, 1900-1; G. H. Carswell, 1905-6, 
17-8, 23-4; H. F. Griffin, 1907-8; J. B. Jackson, 1909-10, 21-22, 27-28; 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


291 


J. S. Davis, 1911-12, 29-30; S. E. Jones, 1913-14; T. R. Turner, 
1915-16; A. J. Wood, 1919-20. 

Note: (1) James B. Deveaux was the only negro Senator that 
ever represented Wilkinson County. Reconstruction politics in many 
cases had put the negroes in office and Deveaux, a Jones County 
negro, was elected as Senator. 

RECORDS OF WILLS AND ESTATES 

There are four Volumes of Records in the Ordinary’s Office 
which have escaped conflagrations, from which the following ab¬ 
stracts of Wills and of Estates have been taken. The first volume 
contains the records covering 1820 to 1828 and in the back of it 
there has been copied the records of 1848 to 1853: the second volume 
covers the years 1828 to 1838: the third volume, that from 1838 to 
1848, and the fourth volume from 1853 to 1858. 

It will be noted that occasionally parts of these records run into 
more than one volume and in such events only that volume where 
first found is mentioned. Sometimes the estate was administered 
several years after the death of the intestate. 

As a key to understand the abbreviations: w. is for wife; d. 
daughter; s. son; b. brother; c. child or children; h. heirs; g. c. 
grandchildren; m. mother; f. father; s. 1. son-in-law; d. 1. daughter- 
in-law; b. 1. brother-in-law; sis, sister. 

WILLS—RECORD OF RETURNS—1820-1828, 1848-1853 
JAMES LAMBERT, w. Esther; d. Mary, Amealey S.; s. Irwin. 
JOSEPH PORTER, w. Rose; d. Mary Elizabeth, Behethland; s. 
Ambrose, Richard. 

JOEL MEADOR, w. Elifair; “sons and other heirs.” 

JOHN TALIAFERRO, wife; d. Rose, Elizabeth, Anne, Judith, 
Mary, Behethland, Lucy; s. Richard, Charles, Benjamin; Rich¬ 
ard’s, d. Jean, Mary, Judy. 

HIRAM STARR, sis. Hannah Starr Allen, Catherine Starr Wash¬ 
burn, Jerathea Starr Joiner; b. Hugan Star, deceased. 
BENJAMIN LANGSTON, w. Phoebe; s. Leonard. 

ZADOCK SIMMONS, s. John; g. c. Lacy, John, Zadock, Sally, 
Claborn. 

FRANCIS BECK, w. Catherine; d. Polly Smith, vjrace Hicks; s. 
William. 

HANNER DOWNING, Edmond, Archy Vann, Benjamin, Polly 
Tials, Stacy McOnelv, Asy. 

DAVID HOLMES, w. Abigal; d. Sally Godin, Mary Panncy, Lou- 
vicy, Silvina; s. Elijah, Silas, Josiah, Jeremiah. 

JOHN MANDERSON, w. Susannah; “all my children.” 

LEVY PEACOCK, w. Maltha; d. Caty Keatin, Amy Burteson, 
Margaret Ann; s. John, Purson, Jesse, Levy, Joseph, Freeman 
M. 

"JOHN POLK, w. Caty; Dorcas; s. William, Micajah. 

LEVI VALENTINE, w. Susanna; d. Syntha, Vicea; s. Thomas, 
Andrew, Levi. 

JOHN DAVIS, w. Judith; d. Ann, Sarah, Mary, Archeor, Elizabeth 
Rowland. Martha Welch; s. William, John Fletcher, Elisha. 
JOHN MORELAND, w. Delela; “sons and daughters.” 


292 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


WILLIAM PROCTOR, w. Sarah; d. Mary, Elizabeth Aycock, Fan¬ 
ny Johnson, Catherine Williams, Nancy Bush, Selrah Cald¬ 
well; s. Joshua, John. 

JAMES THOMAS, w. Charity; d. Catherine Davis, Angelina Gar¬ 
rett; s. David Kenedy, Zechariah. 

Eldest of his children by former wife, Sarah Hennery; Nancy, 
Elbert, John, Rachel, Sarah, James. 

JIMMIE LAWSON, s. John, Davenport, Thomas, Amos. 

MASON McLENDON, m. Mary Brooks; b. 1. David Delk, b. John 
Barnett, b. 1. Solomon B. Murphy’s two children, Morton N. 
and Francis Louiza. 

WILLIAM BIVINS, Polly; d. Ellafair English, Sally Donnally, 
Abigail Barker; d. 1. Susan, widow of s. John; g. c. William, 
Appleton, sons of John) ; s. Martin Luther. 

EDMOND STEVENS, b. Bartlett; s. James Jackson Collins. 

EDWIN TARPLEY, mother; b. Geo. W., William, Edward I., Wing¬ 
field. 

JAMES TODD, w. Mary c.; d. Mary Hooks, Rebecca Vincent; s. 
James B., John J., Bartlett W., (all under age). 

THOMAS UNDERWOOD, w. Elizabeth; d. Nicy, Malinda, wife of 
John G. Smith; s. Thomas, John; g. c. Joseph, Matthew, An¬ 
derson, William, Mary Elizabeth, James, Nancy Matilda, John 
Washington, (all c. of Gabriel Jones). 

JOHN HALL. w. Mary; d. Lydia, Mary Jane Shinholser, Sarah 
L., Pamelia Ezeel; s. James M. 

JOHN HARDIE, w. Damans; d. Nancy Bridges, Martha Dixon, 
Damanis Ridley; s. Robert, Joel, John E. 

JAMES BRANAN, w. Sarah; “two of my sons, Alfred and Harris,” 
“children.” 

JOHN HOWELL, w. Sarah (lived with her 34 yrs.) 

JOHN 1 RUTHERFORD, w. Rebeckah; s. James, Samuel, John, 
Franklin, Nathan, Elbert; s. 1. William Merfitt, Daniel Fann?. 

ISAAC MITCHELL, d. Sina (w. of Joseph Payne) and her c. 

KELLY GLOVER, w. Elizabeth; “my children,” “my daughter,” 
adopted s. Newton Glover. 

WILLIAM BLOODWORTH, d. Lydear; s. John Edwards. 

WILLS—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1828-’38 

LANFAIR W. WHITEHURST, w. Unity; father; d. Elizabeth C., 
Nancy W., Susannah R., Polly Ann C. 

JESSE VAUGHN, d. Sally Belcher, Bettey Matthews, Polly Low, 
Eliza Meredith; s. John, James, William; g. c. Mariah Mc¬ 
Millan, Alexander McMillan. ' 

DAVID INGRAM, s. James, Anderson, Hughs, David, William, 
Washington, Richmond; g. c. James, David, Drewry, Winney, 
c. of Margaret Ingram w. of Joseph Davidson, Jr. 

LUCY NEWSOM, Cousin Lucy Culpepper d. of Joel Culpepper; 
Arreny? Stokes (d. of Henry Stokes) ; sis. Patsy Butler and c. 

JAMES WILCOX, w. Zilpha; b. Thomas; Thomas’ s. James; Joseph 
Jno. Floyd Blackshear. 

JOHN L. JONES, w. Lucy; d. Nancy, Sarah, Latha; b. Thomas. 

NATHAN JACKSON, w. Lydia; d. Nancy, Lucy; s. James. 

LEWIS NOBLES, Mary (only heir). 

CORNELIUS BACHELOR, “wife and children” (see Rec. of Ret 
est.) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


293 


JOHN LEATHERS, w. Flora; sis. Betsy, Juddeth, Jane, Racheal; 
b. William, Peter. 

ELIJAH VINSON, w. Mary Ann; “heirs.” 

JOHN RYLE, w. Ann; step-s. Andrew Seals; g. c. John Floyd 
Ryle. 

FREDERICK DOMINI, w. Elizabeth; s. Andrew, Frederick, Isiah. 

WILLIAM JACKSON, w. Mary; d. Elizabeth Odom; s. Nathan, 
Absolon; “g. c. in Ala.” Archibald Thompson; Elizabeth Weight. 

WILLIAM SMITH, w. Athaleah; d. Lydia Ellis w. of William R. 
Ellis, Elizabeth Salter; Susannah E.; s. Archibald Bryant, 
William Jackson, Martin C.; Henry H.; Laban T.?; Lucius ? E. 

SARAH HUBBARD, Bershaba Calvin. 

WILLS—RECORDS OF RETURNS, 1838-1848 

JAMES MANSON, w. Margaret; d. Margaret Mariah, Caroline 
E. S., Mary Ann Methvin; s. John, William, James; s. 1. Samuel 
M. Carswell, Williamson Calhoun; g. c. James A. J.? Gates. 

JOHN THOMPSON, Mother; b. Moses; “brothers and sisters.” 

SARAH CARSWELL, d. Nancy Wateson? and her heirs by Wil¬ 
liam Wateson?; s. Samuel M., William E.; g. c. Blache?, 
Martha A. Gilbert, Mary Jane Brown, Matthew C. Fowler, 
John M. Fowler, Matthew Wm. Brown; “orphans of Alexander 
Carswell.” 

CHARLES WHITEHURST, w. Elizabeth; d. Esther Bass; s. 
James Stanley, Howell Little, Josiah; sis. Frances Whitehurst. 

STARLING STUCKEY, w. Mary; d. Mary; s. Alexander, John, 
Starling, Simon, Daniel, Allison, Howell, Nelson (s. 1. Wiley 
Womack). 

REUBEN HARRALL, w. Mary, s. William C.; g. c. William R. 
Welch, Reuben Needam? Ross; s. 1. William M.? Ross. David 
Welch, Herchal S. C. Str-?. 

JESSE SIMPSON, w. Delilah; infant s. John Martindale; b. James 
Clcii*k Martindale 

JOSEPH HANCOCK, w. Mary; d. Elizar; s. William, James, Ed¬ 
mund, Willis, John. 

ROBERT ROZAR, SR., w. Mary; s. Robert, Jr., Alexander; Alex¬ 
ander’s c. 

JOHN DAVIDSON, w. Linsy; d. Mary, Elizabeth; s. Jehu H., 
A. R., James A., ELLL., John M., Joseph F., Benjamin R. 

ABRAHAM LASSETER, w. Susannah; d. Polly Waters w. of 
Richard Waters; s. David, William, James. 

MARY NIXON, sis. Elizabeth Brooner. 

NOAH KEEL, w. Sallety; d. Sarah Broxton, Nancy Thomas, Beth¬ 
any Smith, Arrny; s. Hardie, Ivy or Iry; Isaac; s. 1. Daniel 
Hall. (Est. Sarah w. Hiram Broxton; Bethany w. William 
Smith; Nancy w. William Thomas). 

JAMES HATCHER, w. Sarah; s. William G.; Sarah Ann, Har- 
rietta, James, John Edmond, heirs. 

RICHARD WHITAKER, w. Margaret; d. Francis B. Graham, 
Rowsamon; Mary C. Beall, Nathaniel P.; Hutson, Mildred; s. 
Richard Thomas, “my three sons.” 

NATHANIEL CANNON, w. Frances; d. Lucretia Turner; s. Wiley, 
Miles, Allen, James; s. 1. Jesse Harris, George Brack; g. c. Wil¬ 
liam N. Bowen, Elizabeth Harrison. 



294 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


BENJAMIN J. STUBBS, d. Nancy, Eliza, Hannah Ann M. Under¬ 
wood, Falby; s. Seaborn, Robert. 

RACHEL CALHOUN, d. Polly Collins, Jane Lee; s. Williamson, 
Daniel Triplett; g. c. James (son of Polly); g. c. Elizabeth 
(d. of Jane) ; Lott Warren a relative. 

ROBERT GARROTT, w. Elizabeth; d. Susan, Elizabeth Orrison, 
Jincy; s. James, William, John; g. s. Jefferson Garrott. 

JAMES KING, Mother; Washington Kinney, Mary Kinney, Lu¬ 
cinda Borland. 

HYRAM JONES, w. Sarah; “the child;” b. Gabriel. 

JAMES EXUM, d. Sarah Frances; s. John Munroe, Benjamin E. 
T. 

JOEL YOUNGBLOOD, “my children;” “youngest d. Amanda.” 

ADAM JONES, d. Sally Ward, Frances Ryle, Patsy P. Pittman, 
Patience Gibson; s. Daniel; s. 1. James Gibson, James Ward. 

WILLIAM BROWN, w. Artimecia; d. Sarah Eliza, Mary, Neomy; 
s. William Francis Manon?, Augustus Clayton, Nimrod Jef¬ 
ferson, David John Franklin. 

THOMAS PEARCE, wife; s. James, William Walter; s. 1. George 
M. Murcason. 

THOMAS JONES, w. Rebecca; “only son Joseph.” 

MAJOR C. COLLINS, w. Mary; d. Narcissa w. of John Kemp; s. 
Francis, William, James, Major C., Franklin C., Daniel E.; 
g. c. Enoch Collins. 

THOMAS SPENCE, w. Jane; s. Andrew W., John M. 

STEPHEN WHIPPLE, w. Eliza; s. Stephen B., Benjamin A., 
Knight; d Frances, Rutha M. 

ISRAEL FOUNTAIN, wife; d. Sabrina, Cissa w. of Enoch Gar¬ 
rett, Hezehous?; s. Jackson, Job, William, James, Mitchell, 
Lewis; g. c. Richard, John and Sarah Batchellor c. of Sabrina; 
g. c. William, Bartlett, Elizabeth, Mary c. of Hezehous; g. c. 
Priscilla Webb. 

ALLEN CANNON, (Deeds to land to take effect when dead) d. 
Leah Jane; s. Iverson, William Franklin. 

JOHN STEPHENS, Sr., wife; d. Polly, Rebecca and Leathy 
(twins), s. Bartlett, John, Isaac; s. 1. Thomas Allen, John 
Garrot. 

MERET ETHRIDGE, w. Hopey; d. Tabitha Hooks, Demarius 
Wheeler, Nancy Fleatwood, Rebeckah Jones, Amelia Ethridge; 
s. Joseph, Harris, Wiley; g. c. heirs of s. William, heirs of s. 
Wiley; Tabitha w. of Archabald Hooks. 

MARY DOMINY, d. Aley, Jane; s. Thomas Jasper; sis. Frances 
Howerd, “deceased husband.” 

WILLS—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1853-1858 

JAMES, WILLIAM, POLLY BENTON, (bros. and sis.); c. of b. 
Isaac. 

NANCY DAVIS, d. Sarah Potts; “other children;” s. 1. John Dixon. 

SUSAN RICE, (was from Baldwin Co.) the executrix was Mrs. 
Francis Ready. 

JOHN O’BANION, w. Elizabeth; d. Sarah Lucas, Martha J. Dean, 
Ruth R. Adkins; s. William. 

RICHARD WILLIAMS, w. Patsy; s. John E. V., William; “other 
children;” c. of John E. V. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


295 


WASHINGTON WILLIAMS, “wife and children;” s. J. D. Wil¬ 
liams. 

JOHN GANEY, “wife;” d. Ann Elizer, Martha Brewer; s. Tich- 
ard C.; g. c. Harriette_E. E. Gardner; s. L Jonathan Rivers. 

HENRY GREENFIELD CHAMBERS, m. Martha Chambers; sis. 
Elizabeth M. Lord, Martha Ann; c. of John B. viz: Green and 
John. 

WM. F. M. BROWN, sis. Mary, Sarah w. of Washington Ingram, 
Neoma; b. Nimrod J., Daniel F., Augustus C. 

SARA C. BRYAN, Mary J. Meredith; John B. Sears. 

ELI SEARS, w. Elenny; “my children.” 

ESTATES—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1853-1858 

JOHN T. WRIGHT, w. Lucinda H.; s. James A. 

JAMES T. WRIGHT, c. George W.., Jesse C., Mary, Dorcas C., 
James’ G., Isabel T., Sarah M.; s. 1. John Ross, Jr. 

ZEPHANEAH JOHNS, h. John, Isaac L., William L., Robert N. 
Parker. 

ISAAC GOODMAN, “widow;” h. Isaac, Jr., Henry S. Pickle, J. C. 
Webb, R. H., Mary Pickle, K. D. Robertson, N. W. Isler, Pinia. 

MILES CANNON, h. W. L., N. W., Nancy, Nathan J., David S., 
Miles J. 

WILLIAM HOOKS, c. Mary Elizabeth. 

WILLIAM WYNN, JR., h. Josiah Wynn, Andrew D., John E. Dun¬ 
can, W. H. Bailey, James R. Thompson, Jesse Crumbley, Oba- 
diah Wynn. 

WILLIAM FISHER, “Mrs. Fisher;” c. Harriet, Laura. 

WILEY VINCENT, “Mrs. Charlotte Vinson;” h. James R. M. Wil¬ 
son, Winniford, Caroline. 

JAMES W. TODD, sis. Martha C.; h. w. Mary C., James D., John 
J., Bartlet W. all of full age and Erastus R., William W. minor 
h. of Rebecca Vincent deceased, d. Mary, Henry Hooks. 

GRIFFIN SMITH, c. Bryant, John, William, Caroline, Mary. 

ELIZABETH DIXON, h. Aaron, Edward, Kinman. 

WILLIAM JOHNS, h. Mary w. of Wm. J. Shinholser, Elizabeth 
A. w. of S. J. Lord, h. of James H., Rebecca, c. of Zephaneah. 

NANCY DAVIS, h. Sarah Poots, Levecy w. of John Dixon, minors 
of William and Nancy Davis Shepherd, viz: Mary B., Sarah 
J., Nancy C., William F., Missouri H., Luizer E., Willis J. 

JOHN UNDERWOOD, h. Sarah E. w. of Thomas H. Pennington, 
Thomas B., William J. 

JOHN STEVENS, h. Mary. 

LEVEN M. COLLINS, h. Enoch G. 

HENRY DAVIS, h. John Dixon, Eli, James, William F. Shepherd, 
Elias Barnes, Oren, James A. Deans, Henry. 

BENJAMIN D. LEWIS, h. Sarah Jane Williams formerly w. of 
Benjamin D.; c. Mary E., John. 

ISAAC STEVENS, SR., h. Leathy minor of Joel Hoover, James, 
Isaac, William, Sarah w. of John Hoover. 

CHARLOTTE VINCENT, (w. of Wiley J.) ; h. Wiley J., Frederick, 
Winniford, Charlotte, Caroline, Caleb Stevens. 

WILLIAM BINION of Columbia Co., h. William H., Laura Ann w. 
of Thos. M. Bailey. 

JOHN TAYLOR, SR., Bennet King, John, Richard A., J. W. Cross. 

ALEXANDER PASSMORE, h. “widow,” Lemuel, Louisa w. of 


296 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Thomas J. Smith, Martha w. of James Davis, John J., Samuel 
S. Alexander, Elizabeth, Milly A., Simon H., Wiley S., George 
W. C., Phirily, Wm. D. Matthews, Stephen. 

JOHN RYE, w. Sarah, c. Franklin, Sarah Ann, Hesta, Larry? 

MRS. MARY HALL, w. of John. 

WM. VINCENT, c. Erastus R., William W. 

GEORGE W. SHINHOLSER, h. Georgia Ann. 

ARTIMISSA BROWN, h. Sarah E. w. of Washington Ingram, Wm. 
F. M., Augustus C., Nimrod J., Mary J., Daniel F., Neoma. 

SAMUEL WHEELER, c. Ira, Lenna, Martha J., Sarah Ann. 

EVERETT RIDLEY, h. Demarius, Nancy and Robert. 

MRS. MARY SHINHOLSER, d. of Wm. Johns and w. of William J. 

MERIT ETHRIDGE, h. Leroy Fleetwood, F. M. Jones, John Wheel¬ 
er, Geo. W. Tarpley, Archibald Hooks for Tabitha. 

WILLIAM M. BRAGG, h. R. L. Rivers, Thomas, John T. Lingo, h. 
of James F. dec’d, viz: J. S., J. F.; R. A. and S. T. s. of Alex¬ 
ander Chappell. 

JAMES CANNON, “widow Leah.” 

WM. McGOWIN, w. Saro; h. Alexander, Noah, Jimpsey, Sarah, 
Jacob, Hilliard, William. 

JOSEPH M. LORD, w. Ariminta. 

ESTATES—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1849-1853 

IVERSON G. HUGHES, h. b. Green B., N. W., T.J.; nephew 
John P. 

LEWIS ETHERIDGE, w. Lucy; h. Benjamin F., Joseph F., Jonah 
P., Sarah w. of John T. Branan, Elizabeth C. w. of Jesse Mack¬ 
ey, Lucinda S. w. of Jonathan Pearson, Lewis, Lucius, Francis 
M., Exa Ann. 

ANDREW DOMINY, c. Alsea, Elizabeth. 

JACKSON DEESE, w. Mary. STEPHEN LORD, h. Elizabeth A., 
Stepen J. 

ANDREW J. HOWARD, h. James H. Wood, Isaac Watkins, George 
F. Howard, John Jasper Howard, Angeline A. May d. of Sidney 
May formerly Sidney Howard. 

WILLIAM HUGHS, s. Nathaniel C., James C., William W., Eras¬ 
mus F., John T., d. Elizabeth Bush. 

MARY DOWNING, c. Thomas J. JOHN UNDERWOOD, w. Nancy. 

MARTIN G. PHILLIPS, h. Wm. M., Jesse C. Lord. 

WILLIAM SMITH, SR., h. David W. Smith, Richard, Susannah. 

JOHN LORD, SR., c. James, Mills M., John H. or W., Milly w. of 
John M. Boon. 

DANIEL BURKE, h. James H. P. Methvin, Walter W. Lee, Sam¬ 
uel Meredith, Mary, Daniel P., Artimissa by William Brown. 

ARCHIBALD SMITH, h. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Richard, Elijah 
S. Kinney, Archibald, Benjamin, Francis, Washington. 

SAMUEL BRAGG, h. Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Franklin, 
Richard Rivers, c. of Alexander Chappells, viz: Rufus A. 
Thomas, William Duncan. 

JONATHAN HOOKS, “minor children;” h. Reubin, Sarah Ann. 

JAMES BRANNEN, (see wills) h. James, Sarah, Winna McCook, 
Love Herndon, Harris Etheridge, Joseph S. Ethridge, Thomas 
H. Parker for L. R. Parker, Caswell, John T., Joseph, Samuel 
Montgomery, Littleton, Pascal, Thomas Temples, Joseph for 
Alzana Branan now Murphey. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


297 


RICHARD WADKINS, w. Celia; h. Francis, Johnson, David C. 
JAMES M. FOLSOM, h. Mary D., James M., Richard A., Mary C. 
with Robert W. Gr. 

MICHAEL R. PICKLE, h. c. of B. Kemp. 

ESTATES—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1838-1848 
THEOPHILUS MASON, c. Mary, Nancy, Frances, James, Joycy, 
Rachael, Amanda, Offan. 

ELISHA DELK, h. Ellafair, Daniel T., Seaborn, Robert, Lucy 
Prior, S. Harrell, Warren Shiver, Wilaford, Benjamin, Winney, 
Almarine Martin, David, D. R. Pittman for Noel Pittman. 
JAMES ALLEN, h. James Willis, William, Wyatt Meredith. 

SETH HONEYCUT, c. Caroline, Louisa, Wesley, Marganna, Ros¬ 
anna, Meredith. 

ELIJAH HOGAN, w. Sarah; c. and h. Susannah, Sarah J., Eliza 

F. , Griffin, E. Columbus, David M. D., Elijah C., John G. R., 
John D. Vann, James Exum (his heirs Frances and Benjamin), 
Linche B. Porter, John E. Hardie for Susannah, Richard T. 
Porter. 

HENRY CHAMBERS, Martha; c. John B., Aplen T., Henry G., 
Elizabeth, Martha Ann, Marilla Ann. 

THOMAS TAYLOR, h. James, Isaac, Grace, Alfred Willis, Wil¬ 
liam, Thomas, Adalissa. 

WILLIAM HOOKS, h. Jonathan. 

ALLEN SMITH, w. Mary later w. of James Vickers; h. Richard 
Randolph, Mary, Wilson E. Sears, Larke B. Allen, John Allen, 
Madison Smith, Joel E. J., Mary Ann Rebecca, Susan Caroline, 
Francis Marion, Mantury Ann Missouri. 

WILLIAM DIXON, c. Jeremiah, Aaron, Kinman. 

MATTHEW UNDERWOOD, h. John, Thomas, Jr., Gabriel Jones. 
JAMES HATCHER, h. James, John, Henrietta later w. of Hiram 
M. Pace, Edmond D., Sarah Ann later w. of George W. Shin- 
holser. 

WM. STOKES, w. Elizabeth; c. John, Nancy. 

ALLEN L. WARREN, “E. A. Warren for his w. who was the w. 
of Dec’d;” c. Hall M., A. L. 

BUCKNER PITTMAN, h. Nancy, James, Jesse, Green, Martha, 
Elizabeth, Benjamin Jackson for w. Jinsey, Martha was later 
w. of J. T. Hughes. 

MATTHEW GAINEY, h. Pleasant, William, Henry Hegans, Wm. 

G. Fountain, George E. McCook. 

SYLVANUS GIBSON, c. William, Jas., Martha later w. of Pat¬ 
rick H. McCook. 

SAMUEL CARR, “Mrs. Carr;” h. Hiram P. 

JOHN HOOKS, c. and h. John, M. D. Simpson, Catherine, S. T. 
Player, Jacob Paulk. 

JOHN HUGHS, w. Margaret; c. Benjamin J., Green B., Nicholas 
W., James T., Iverson G. 

SAMPSON DIXON, w. Savil; c. and h. J. C., J. W., Harriet, Aaron, 

H. E. Morgan, Mason Hartley for his w. 

JOHN KITTLES, “widow;” h. Franklin A., Amanda, Newton, 
James H. Mills. 

GRIFFIN SMITH, c. James, Mary Ann, James J., William J. 
VINSON or VINCENT HARDIE, w. Abigail; c. Sarah Jane. 


298 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


JOEL BREWER, h. John L. Johnson, Thadeus Ward, Jesse B. 
Cornell, Holden Brown, Hyman Mercer, Nicy Brewer, Green 
Brewer. 

WILLIAM SMITH, h. Athaliah, Sewanna Ann Elizabeth, Lewis D., 
Elizabeth S. Greer, William J., Archibald B., James, Isaac 
Perkins. 

ABNER J. HICKS, a minor; h. John J. Hudson. 

JACOB WITT, h. Lydia, James M., John Nickles for his w., Benja¬ 
min Aycock. 

GEORGE W. HERNDON, c. Mary J. 

ISAAC TAYLOR, c. William, Isaac, Ardellissa, Thomas. 

JOEL HOOVER, w. Sarah; c. and h. Sarah, Elizabeth, Leatha, 
John, Samuel, Henry, Hamilton G. Daniels. 

CAROLINE E. S. MANSON, h. Mary A. Methvin, James, William, 
S. M. Carswell. 

JOHN EADY, h. William Colson, Oren Davis, Samuel M. Pittman, 
Allen H. Eady, Henry H, Eady, Daniel Pittman, Elizabeth 
Eady, John Eady, Hansford Davis. 

JOSEPH JONES, h. Mary, John. 

WILLIAM SMITH, JR., h. Susannah, J. J. Upson, William, Rich¬ 
ard. 

MARY JONES, h. Franklin. Lewis Manderson, c. Lewis B. D. 

FRANCES JONES, c. Ann. William Carr, h. David W. 

JOHN FREEMAN, SR., w. Sarah; h. Thomas J. Mason, James G. 
Freeman, Mary Chambers. 

JOHN CRUMBLEY, c. Rebecca later w. of Daniel Ussery, Burrel. 

SARAH HOGAN, c. and h. L. B. Porter, John D. Vann, Moses J. 
Thompson, G. E. D. Hogan, John E. Hardie, orphans of James 
Exum, Richard T. Porter, Elijah C. 

BENJAMIN H. BREEDLOVE, h. Margaret. 

FRANCIS M. SMITH, h. John A. M., Richard R., Wilson C. Sears, 
Missouri, R. F. Rozar, Lark B. Allen, Joel E. J. Smith. 

ALLEN CANNON, div. of est. to Wiley Fordham, Thomas Dixon, 
James Pearce, Iverson Cannon, Leah J., William F. (also see 
wills.) 

WILEY C. PHILLIPS, h. Wiley A. M., Mariah, Isabella Francis, 
Mary Missouri, John Gabriel. 

ESTATES—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1820-1828 

THOMAS ARD, w. Dorothy; c. John Sears, Andrew Walton, 
Charles S., Sarah F. later w. of Waya? W. Eiland. 

JOHN SMITH, “Mrs. Smith;” h. Lucy w. of Jesse Ashley. 

JOHN S. DAVIS, Sarah Davis. Jose.ph Bunning, Jane L. Bunning. 

JOHN THOMPSON, c. Macajah, Hanna, Sary, Mary, Rebecca, 
John T., Moses (14 mos.) w. Mary later w. of Zachus Lord. 

JOSEPH RILEY, Charles, Lucy, Jas? Elisha Padgett, Rhody, 
Tanner. 

FORD BUTLER, Martha called Patsy; h. Mallekia, Sally. (Ford 
died about 1816-T7, old burned records showed this, in copying 
old records the scribe mistook F for H and wrote Hord when 
It should have been Fojrd.) 

THOMAS MITCHELL, w. Mary; Francis, John, Elizabeth, Ed¬ 
ward, Herchey. 

JNO. BALL, Anson Ball. James Pugh, Edgworth Pugh. 

EZEKIEL ADAMS, “widow;” c. Polly, Nancy, Simeon. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


299 


SAMPSON SMITH, Martha, Sofia; h. Sofia Anderson, Archibald 
Smith, John Freeman for his wife, John G. Smith. 

SOLOMON THOMPSON, w. Rebecca later w. of Aaron Davidson; 
Russel, Maria, Mary Ann. 

NATHAN BOWEN, Nathan, Sparksman, John, Session, William 
Bivin? 

DANIEL KINGERY, h. John Sanders, Sarah Craft, Daniel H., 
Moore Avrea, Katherine, Ruth, Seaborn, Robert W. Vinson, 
Abraham. 

ROBERT MOSES, Delphi; h. Joshua, Polly, Samuel, Sarah. 

DAVID CLAY, Mahany later w. of Thomas C.? Wynn, Edmond B., 
Paten, Rober. 

THOMAS FORT, Pinnah, Zelpha. William Brown, William, Sarah. 

WILLIS McCLENDON, h. Francis, Jack Willis, Mason. 

WILLIAM McMONTGOMERY, Margaret: h. Thomas Boseman, 
Elender Montgomery, Gideon T. Stewart. 

LEWIS HICKS, Narcissa, James, John B., Stephen Law, h. Nancy. 

JOHN GUERRY, “Mrs. Margaret Guerry;” Petter V. Theodore, 
Anna, Chariot. 

BENJ. AYCOCK, c. Wm., Joshua, Isaac, Benjamin, Catherine. 

JOHN V. SHINHOLSTER, George, James, John. 

WILLIAM GIBSON, Catherine, Precella D., Stephen Gilmore, Rach¬ 
ael. 

JOHN MANDERSON, w. Susanna; c. Jno. H., Millsy S., Martha 
L. later w. of John N. Brady, Elizabeth, Lewis D. B. 

JOHN GILBERT, w. Nancy; c. Elizabeth Jane, Margaret, Jesse, 
John, Polly Ann, Nancy, Thomas B., Amelia Demarius, Nathan. 

FRANCIS BECK, h. Charles W. Smith, Daniel Hicks, William, 
Catherine. 

JACOB SHOFNER, Henry, Martin Elizabeth, Martha Shofner, 
Henry. 

DAVID BALES, Elizabeth, Julrus N., William White, Martha, Al- 
melia Ann. 

JONATHAN RIGBY, h. Mary. Lyddy, Lucindy, James Jackson, 
Allen Cannon. 

WILLIAM LORD, SR., John, William, Stephen, Thomas, Samuel, 
Sarah, Joseph Barnet. 

JAMES B. WHITE, w. Elizabeth; Eliza, Amsen C.; c. Sarah, 
James M 

WILEY HOPSON, w. Elizabeth the widow of James B. White later 
the w. of James Vickers; c. Edward, Sabra, Angeline. 

HARDY JONES, “widow;” Hollen?, Needham. 

WILLIAM LEE, William, Jr., Archibald, Alexander. 

JAMES BELLFLOWER, w. Elizabeth; William. Joseph Jones, 
Mary Nancy. 

FRANCES POWELL, William J.? F. Mitchell. Stephen Lord, Eliza¬ 
beth. 

JOEL JACKSON, “widow;” Unity. Samuel Burkett, “widow;” 
Frances, John. 

JAMES CRUMPTON, Elihu, Sarah. 

ESTATES—RECORD OF RETURNS, 1828-1838 

JAMES LINDSEY, h. Sarah Lindsey, Daniel M. Hall. 

JAMES SMITH, John and Belinda Smith; “Joel Butler in right of 
his wife,” John M. 


300 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


JAMES DIXON, d. Mary Ann. 

AMBROSE MURPHY, Martha, Matilda, Osburn, William, Horne, 
Ambrose. 

BRICE PAUL, c. James T., Hester S., Elizabeth B., Martha Ann 
D., Rutha C., John T.; Elizabeth w. of Linch B. Porter, Hester 
w. of Perry McCarroll, Rutha w. of Matthew Owens. 

JOHN S. HAWTHORNE, h. Hannah Brewer, William, Robert, 
John, Martha, Bethtah. 

JAMES JUSTICE, w. Lucretia later w. of John W. Rye; Jacob 
Barnet, Emily, Gerrard. 

JOHN F. SIMMONS, h. John H. Herndon, Samuel, Christopher 
Columbus, John, Sarah, Jas., Lucy, Charles Claborn, Lacey. 

LEVIN VINCENT, Nelly, Jane, James W. 

BALIS CARR, w. Ann; h. William Hood or Hook, William, D. W. 
M., James B., David B. 

SARAH JUSTICE, h. Jno., Noah Kullor Keel, David Daniels, Jno. 

Lu-n? F. Lands, Oden Oliver, William Harrison, James 

Harrison. 

MARY MANN, “Zelpha and Elizabeth two youngest h. of David 
and Mary Mann.” 

ISAAC BARNETT, c. Robert, Maggy Lou, Eliza Ann, Sarah Ann; 
h. Amos Johnson. 

CHARLES S. ARD, h. Sarah S., John S., Andrew W. 

SAMUEL MEREDITH, c. Nancy, Wiley, Wyatt, Charity, Samuel, 
• Chas.? 

ELEAZER BRACK, h. John M., Richard, James Morgan, William 
B., James, George, Edmund Taylor, Elizabeth, Benj. H. 

ICHABOD SCARBOROUGH, A. M., Sarah, James J., Aaron Searcy, 
c. John. 

WILLIAM A. HALL, h. Mrs. Zelpha Hall, Jane, Mary Ann, Sarah 
F., Hollin E., (James Chambers w. Mary Ann, James M. Willis 
w. Hollan Hepsbeth, William J. Willis w. Sarah Francis). 

WASHINGTON FREEMAN, “Mrs. Freeman;” h. John. 

POLLY P. LEE, h. Lewis, Lovard, Winnefred Pierce, Gilbert Mc¬ 
Nair. 

MARKE DEES, c. Mark, Jackson W. (his w. Mary), Ira G., Epsey 
or Betsy. 

JAMES COOK, c. William, Elijah, Puty, Henry; h. Nicholas Lewis, 
Stephen Sutton. 

MARTIN WITT, h. Michael L., D. J., Benjamin Aycock for w. 
Rachael, Elbert, Martha J., David McMurray, Nathaniel Highs, 
Wm. Cobb, Daniel Jones. 

ABNER HICKS, h. Susan Ann, Mary B. Hall, E. W. Dennis, Mary, 
Piety Elifair, Clarissa C., Jones A., Edwin C. Mayo, Mrs. Mary 
Hicks. 

BRITON PRICE, h. Mary Ann Price later Woodward. 

RICHARD GANEY, h. William, J., James Meadows. 

JOSHUA WEST, h. James S., Frances E. later w. of James M. 
Helton. 

JOHN NUNN, h. Carlton Nunn, Zephiniah John, Timothy Blood- 
worth, John Wheeler, Eli Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, Miles 
Bloodworth, John Nicholson. 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


301 


AGNES SMITH, h. John Davidson, James Smith, Allen Smith, Jes¬ 
se Ashley, William J. Smith for Elizabeth Tyson, Ephriam 
Hightower, John Smith, Benjamin S. Henderson. 

DANIEL PEARCE, “widow;” c. Wm. H., John, Winfield. 

ADAM BRANAN, w. Netty later w. of Alexander Nesbit; c. Alzana 
later w. of Milton C. Murphy, Alzada later w. of Larkin R. 
Parker, Artebanus. 


EXTRACTS FROM MARRIAGE RECORDS 

1819-1865 


D AVID ADAMS to Sarah Smith, Dec. 10, 1821, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. P. 

James Adams to Emelia Butler, July 31, 1860, by Wm. S. Turner, 
M. G. 

Robert Adams to Conilla A. S. I. Wheeler, Aug. 5, 1850, by J. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Joseph Adkins to Matilda O’Banion, Nov. 14, 1840, by David 
Smith, M. G. 

R. W. Adkins to Carie E. Sumner, Apr. 20, 1865, by Wm. S. Baker, 

M. G. 

Daniel Aids to Rebecca Marchant, Dec. 13, 1857, by C. 0. Davis, 

J. P. 

Allen Albritton to Savannah Ford, Dec. 16, 1821, by B. Mitchell, 

J. P. 

Thos. Alcot to Amy King, Nov. 20, 1823, by Shadrack Adams, J. P. 
Adam Allen to Francis E. Jeans, April 14, 1864, by A. Pennington, 

J. P. 

Enoch Allen to Nancy Lavender, Dec. 3, 1857, by Daniel McCook, 

J. P. 

Thomas Allen to Nancy Lavender, Aug. 9, 1859, by L. G. Weeks, 

J. P. 

Thomas Allen to Elizabeth Stephens, June 4, 1843, by Henry Davis, 

J. P. 

Wiley G. Allen to Sarah Lavender, Nov. 7, 1852, by Daniel McCook, 

J. P. 

Willis Allen to Mary Ann Meredith, May 17, 1843, by A. W. Jor¬ 
don, J. P. . 

Wm. B. Allice to Lydia Ann Smith, Aug. 3, 1833, by John Smith, 

J. P. 

Jackson Amerson to Elsad Ann M. Beck, March 4,1852, by J. Tem¬ 


ple, J. P. 

Constantine B. Anderson to Martha Boyington, Aug. 8, 1852, by 
John Bright, J. P. __ n 

Jeremiah Anderson to Penny Wise, Dec. 22, 1820, by Isaac Hall, 


j p 

James Andrews to Epsy Beall, July 3, 1840, by William Garrot, 

J. P. 

Lewis Andrews to Mary Pickrin, Feb. 9, 1845, by William Garrot, 

J. P. 

Samuel Andrews to Nicy Etheridge, Dec. 17, 1845, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P, 


302 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Sanders Armest to Mary Adams, Feb. 24,1845, by S. J. Bush, J. P. 
James M. Ashley to Mary Ann Street, Mar. 19, 1849, by John 
Lewis, J. P. 

Oliver W. P. Ashley to Matilda Churning, Mar. 29, 1859, by G. R. 
McCall, M. G. 

Ezekiel Attaway to Malinda Williams, June 1, 1823, by John 
Hardie, J. I. C. 

Daniel Avery to Tabytha Cook, Nov. 5, 1826, by James Mooning, 
J. P. 

David Avery to Elizabeth Chandler, Dec. 30, 1845, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

William Aycock to Jane Gray, Mar. 5, 1833, by Adam Taws, J. P. 
W. H. H. Bailey to Adaline W. Willis, Aug. 27, 1864, by O. H. P. 
Rawls, J. I. C. 

James Bailflower to Elizabeth Smith, Feb. 15, 1825, by H. Bo¬ 
hannon, J. I. C. 

Morrel Baker to Zilpha Wilcox, Apr. 20, 1828, by B. B. Buch¬ 
anan, M. G. 

Thomas Baker to Polly Taylor, Feb. 3, 1822, by James Low, J. P. 

Elijah Ballad to Mary Bloodworth, Aug. 24, 1837, by B.-. 

Elijah Ballard to Sarah Emile Golden, Apr. 27, 1853, by Leroy 
Fleetwood, M. G. 

James Ballard to Martha Brady, Jan. 1, 1827, by Geo. Shinholster, 
J. P. 

James Ballad to Margery Brady, June 15, 1820, by Robert Clay, 
J. P. 

Elijah Bales to Georgiann Johnson, Oct. 16, 1853, by W. Honey- 
cut, J. P. 

Jesse Bales to Caroline Wheeler, May 14, 1847, by J. N. Miller, 
J. P. 

William B. Bales to Lilia Weaver, Nov. 7,1835, by Thomas Spence, 
J. P. 

Benjamin Barber to Polly Jackson, Apr. 16, 1857, by J. B. Carrel, 
J. P. 

Green W. Barber to Elizabeth Myres, Oct. 12, 1856, by Samuel T. 
Player, J. P. 

James Franklin Barber to Harriet Eliza Wise, Jan. 20, 1852, by 

L. B. Porter, M. G. 

Bartley Barge to Hannah Hathcox, Mar. 13, 1842, by William 
Garrett, J. P. 

David Barlow to Nancy Wardsworth, Dec. 4, 1851, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

James Barlow to Ancy Hartley, May 30, 1839, by William Vin¬ 
cent, J. P. 

Tilmon Barlow to Mary Allday, Mar. 17, 1833, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Tilmon Barlow to Mary Collins, June 10, 1858, by Green B. Hughs, 

M. G. 

Frederick Barfield to Bethina Brewer, Aug. 3, 1833, by Joel Riv¬ 
ers, J. P. 

John Barfield to Caroline Hickmon, Mar. 31, 1847, by William 
Danning, M. G. 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


303 


Wm. D. Barfield to Mary E. Witt, Nov. 17, 1857, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

Elias Barnes to Betsy Davis, Feb. 23, 1823, by Amos Barnes, J. P. 
Robert Barnes to Susan Jones, Dec. 11, 1844, by Jackson Foun¬ 
tain, J. P. 

David Barron to Julia Howard, Apr. 4, 1841, by William Garrott, 

J. P. 

William D. Barfield to Mary E. Witt, Nov. 17, 1857, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

William Barlow to Lucinda Myrick, Sept. 13, 1835, by James 
Gibson, J. P. 

Edward B. Barret to Mary E. Beall, Oct. 26, 1860, by Samuel 
Baykin, J. P. 

Wilson Barrentine to Sarah Sanders, May 17, 1870, by William 
Griffin, M. G. 

William Baskin to Polly Hall, Feb. 12, 1822, by John Ross, J. P. 
Cornelius Batcheller to Rutha Cardie, June 3, 1847, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

Thomas J. Batson to Jane Summerford, Dec. 13, 1841, by Wil¬ 
liam Ross, J. P. 

James M. Batson to Mary Ann Willis, Oct. 17, 1844, by N. C. 
Hughs, J. P. 

John S. Batson to Margaret M. Brooks, Aug. 27, 1857, by S. T. 
Player, J. P. 

William A. Batson to Tabitha Carroll, Oct. 23, 1851, by John 
M. Ware, M. G. 

Clayton Beall to Ellifair Deanard, Dec. 4, 1825, by John F. 
Simmons, J. I. C. 

Fredrick Beall to Harriet Hicks, Oct. 5, 1828, by James Neal, 

J. I. C. 

Alphons Beall to Mary Whitaker, Nov. 12, 1849, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

Elbert Beall to Quilly Shepherd, June 30, 1850, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Charles C. Beall to Ellifair Deanard, Dec. 24, 1825, by John F. 
Simmons, J. I. C. 

James M. Beall to Martha E. Hughes, Apr. 22, 1862, by E. B. 
Barrett. 

John R. Beall to Mary W. Brooks, Dec. 22, 1847, by James R. 
Pittman, J. P. 

Thomas Beall to Missouri Beall, May 21, 1840, by Jesse Peacock, 

J. P. 

William Beall to Piety E. Hicks, Oct. 8, 1843, by Samuel Beall, 

J. I. C. 

John M. Beck, to Maria Amerson, Aug. 8, 1850, by J. Bloodworth, 

J. P. 

D. M. Beck to Zana Bloodworth, Sept. 18, 1842, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

William S. Beck to Elifair Nailers, Nov. 25, 1845, by J. Blood¬ 
worth, J. P. 

John E. Beck to Edna Ann Bloodworth, Dec. 24, 1845, by William 
W. Golden, J. P. 


304 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James Beck to Sarah Ann Kerling, Feb. 1, 1852, by Daniel Mc¬ 
Cook, J. P. 

J. M. Beck to Sophrona Bloodworth, Dec. 31, 1846, by J. W. 
Miller, J. P. 

Martin A. Bedford to Rebeckah Bloodworth, Dec. 5, 1852, by W. 
M. Cooper, M. G. 

John Belflower to Mary Doughtry, Feb. 10, 1824, by James Ross, 
J. P. 

Joseph M. Bell to Susan A. Hartley, June 11, 1856, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

Reddick William Bell to Clarky A. E. Hartley, Oct. 23, 1851, by 
Ellis Harville, M. G. 

Talbot Bell to Elizabeth Crawford, Apr. 9, 1820, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Ira Bell to Sarah Barfield, Sept. 19, 1833, by Absulem Black,. 
G. 

Bazil Bell to Elizabeth Wiliby, July 20, 1820, by Amos Barnes,. 
J. P. 

Willis Bell to Mary Patterson, June 28, 1834, by William Ross,. 
J. P. 

Bartel Bell to Elizabeth Hearndon, Feb. 16, 1821, by Jesse Pittman,. 
J. P. 

Reddick Bell to Margaret Hooks, Jan. 11, 1835, by William Ross,. 
J. P. 

Amos Bentley to Nancy Ethridge, Nov. 10, 1850, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

John Benson to Martha Rivers, Nov. 10, 1832, by John Hearndon,. 
J. P. 

Richard Berry to Martha Shelly, Apr. 5, 1826, by Jesse Pittman* 
J. P. 

Richard Bernard to Susan Roberts, Mar. 18, 1858, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

John Berkett to Cealy Ethridge, Dec. 2, 1826, by Bryan Collins,. 
J. P. 

John J. Bird to Malinda Dorminy, Aug. 7, 1823, by H. Bohan¬ 
non, J. P. 

James Billue to Sarah Dupree, Nov. 24, 1833, by William Payne,. 
M. G. 

Exum J. Billarns to Mary Taylor, Mar. 20, 1844, by J. Blood¬ 
worth, J. P. 

Jethro Billings to Rutha Patterson, Feb. 25, 1844, by J. Blood¬ 
worth, J. P. 

George W. Bishop to Cyntha Dupree, Dec. 21, 1852, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

John W. Bishop to Nancy Dupree, Dec. 28, 1851, by James R. 
Billue, J. P. 

Robert Bland to Malinda Napper, Nov. 21, 1843, by John B. 
Isler, J. P. 

Thomas Blackbun to Elafair Jones, Apr. 27, 1843, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Joseph Blount to Martha Eveline Shenholster, Oct. 16, 1849, by 
J. G. Mitchell, M. G. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


305 


Henry S. Bloodworth to Mary Elizabeth Moore, Dec. 1, 1858, by 
Wiley F. Rogers, M. G. 

Miles Bloodworth to Rebecca Wheeler, Dec. 6, 1832, by George 
Shenholster, J. P. 

Miles Bloodworth to Suhannah Raines, May 19, 1839, by J. Blood¬ 
worth, J. P. 

James Bloodworth to Elizabeth Ashley, Sept. 23, 1847, by Wil¬ 
liam D. Bloodworth. 

James Bloodworth to Margaret Carr, Jan. 3, 1843, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

John Bloodworth to Lewryann Nalus, Apr. 4, 1847, by J. N. Miller, 

J. P. 

Henry Bloodworth to Arcillus Leslie, Jan. 4, 1846, by J. Blood¬ 
worth, J. P. 

Henry W. Bloodworth to Darcus Meadows, Dec. 31, 1854, by 
Charles Young, J. I. C. 

William Bloodworth to Hetty Sanders, Feb. 22, 1825, by Shad- 
rack Adams, J. P. 

William L. Bloodworth to Delana Arrington, Jan. 12, 1854, by 
J. L. Rustin, J. P. 

Wilis Bloodworth to Synthia Ann Hooks, Jan. 4, 1846, by J. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

John B. A. Bloodworth to Mary Jane Brady, July 8, 1849, by J. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Thomas Bloodworth to Georgianna Elizabeth Glodin, Apr. 16, 1848, 
by J. Bloodworth, J. P. 

Timothy Bloodworth to Elizabeth Wheeler, Jan. 25, 1823, by 
Martin Hays, J. P. 

Samuel Bloodworth to Lydia Bales, July 27, 1822, by Martin 
Hays, J. P. 

William Bowen to Nancy Dupree, Jan. 3, 1838, by Jacob Dupree, 

J. P. 

Joseph Boyed to Janette Frost, June 17, 1821, by Thomas Shew, 

J. P. 

Joseph Boon to Maryann Isler, Jan. 10, 1839, by Allen Cannon, 

J. P. 

Jesse Boone to Caroline Pearse, July 19, 1840, by Wiley Holland, 

J. P. 

William Boon to Melessa Pierce, Oct. 1, 1833, by James Hatcher 

J. P. 

Mitchell Boon to Lucretia Lord, Oct. 22, 1842, by Henry Davis, 

J. P. 

Daniel Boon to Milley Lord, June 22, 1840, by David Smith, M. G. 
Joseph Boone to Jane L. Benning, Feb. 22, 1821, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

Franklin Boon to Rebecca Cooper, Jan. 18, 1846, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

Charles Boyington to Elizabeth Day, Aug. 8, 1855, by J. N. 
Miller, M. G. 

James C. Bowers to Martha Davis, Feb. 24, 1848, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Joseph Boatwright to Sarah Bush, Feb. 27, 1859, by Moses I. 
Thompson, J. P. 


306 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


John J. Bowers to Elizabeth Taylor, Jan. 12, 1865, by T. J. Fin¬ 
ney, J. P. 

Robert C. Bostick to Serinah Ann R. Pace, Nov. 13, 1851, by L. 
B. Porter, M. G. 

Mack Early Boatwright to Malinda E. Burney, Feb. 20, 1850, by 
Samuel Beall, J. I. C. 

Thomas Boazman to Sally Montgomery, May 1, 1823, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

William F. Boggs to Masey Beall, May 9, 1833, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

John Brack to Lucinda Smith, Oct. 5, 1842, by John Evers, M. G. 

George Brack to Didemma Mason, Nov. 25, 1838, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Benjamin H. Brack to Mary Jane Porter, June 10, 1847, by Rob¬ 
ert Smith, J. P. 

James Brady to Mary Ann E. Revels, July 1, 1850, by G. S. 
Weeks, J. P. 

B. F. Brady to Epsy Robinson, Mar. 3, 1858, by M. M. Lord, J. P. 

William Brady to Piety Murray, Apr. 16, 1830, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

John Brady to Celia Nappers, Nov. 12, 1839, by William Vincent, 
J. P. 

Cornellius Bradley to Martha Garriot, Oct. 9, 1835, by Thomas 
Tarpley, J. P. 

Sam Bragg to Sarah Herndon, Feb. 21, 1828, by B. B. Buchanan, 
M. G. 

John R. Bragg to Louisa E. Rivers, Oct. 14, 1851, by W. M. 
Cooper, M. G. 

Samuel Bragg to Drucilla Jenkins, Feb. 5, 1824, by John King, 
J. P. 

Franklin Bragg to Ruth Baker, Jan. 6, 1852, by B. F. Ryle, J. P. 

Alfred Branon to Mary B. Wise, Apr. 7, 1839, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

Franklin Branon to Emily Gardner, Dec. 1, 1857, by W. F. Rog¬ 
ers, M. G. 

Caswell Branon to Gracy Hearndon, June 14, 1832, by Adam 
Jones, M. G. 

Littleton Branan to Tabitha Young, Nov. 17, 1839, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

John T. Branan to Sarah Ethridge, Mar. 1, 1838, by Lampkin 
Vandiver, M. G. 

James Branan to Martha Ethridge, May 4, 1834, by Merrit 
Ethridge, J. I. C. 

James Branan to Mary Rivers, Jan. 29, 1843, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

Paskal Branan to Mrs. Gilla Hogan, Sept. 10, 1857, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

William C. H. Branan to Polly Young, Jan. 17, 1846, by Wiley 
F. Rogers, M. G. 

Daniel Brewer to A. E. Stevens Sept 5, 1865, by J. M. Lourey, 
M. G. 

T. F. Brewer to E. M. Dykes, Mar. 10, 1865, by E. J. Cook, M. G. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


307 


John Brewer to Henrietta Slappy, Feb. 2, 1826, by James Neal, 
J. I. C. 

Samuel B. Brewer to Hannah Hawthorne, Nov. 7, 1832, by Joel 
Rivers, J. P. 

Archibald Brewner to Amsey C. Moore, Dec. 10, 1846, bv John 
Evers, M. G. 

William Breedlove to Ann Dupree, Nov. 19, 1850, by William 
A. Hall, J. P. 

Nathan Bridges to Nancy Hardin, Apr. 20, 1837, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Benjamin Bridges to Mary Rogers, Mar. 1, 1839, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

Benjamin Bridges to Nancy Hooks, Jan. 4, 1833, by John Hughes, 
M. G. 

Allen Brooks to Maiiah Bullock, Dec. 23, 1824, by John King, 

J. P. 

Jeremiah Brooks to Mary Gray, Nov. 23, 1820, by Charles Cul¬ 
pepper. 

Caleb S. Brown to Martha Ann Spears, Dec. 8, 1850, by Ellis 
Harville, M. G. 

Thomas J. Brown to Clarisa Horton, Apr. 18, 1850, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Jack Brooks to Rebecca Fort, Aug. 2, 1859, by S. T. Player, J. P. 
Joel Brown to Margaret Ann Spears, Apr. 29, 1854, by G. B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Thadeus Brown to Missouri Wood, Mar. 19, 1855, by E. J. Cook, 
M. G. 

William Brown to Rebecca M. A. Brown, Feb. 6, 1859, by S. T. 
Player, J. P. 

William Brown to Mary Porter, Oct. 23, 1862, by G. B. Hughs, 

J. P. 

John F. Brown to Mary Jones, Apr. 23, 1853, by Everett Ridley, 

J. P. 

Needham Brown to Esther Hearndon, Aug. 30, 1840, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

Needham Brown to Abra Ann Young, Oct. 3, 1851, by James 
Branan, J. P. 

Nimrod Brown to Mildred R. Whipple, Dec. 2, 1857, by G. R. 
McCall. 

Alfred Brown to I. C. A. C. Stephenson, July 25, 1847, by William 
D. Bloodworth, J. P. 

William Brown to Elithia Hotton, Sept. 14,1845, by N. C. Hughes, 

J. P. 

William Brown to Mary Brown, Dec. 20, 1840, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

James Brown to Mary Jones, Apr. 23, 1853, by Everett Ridley, 

J. P. 

Needham Brown to Elizabeth Pool, Nov. 24, 1844, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

Isaac Brown to Sintha King, Aug. 26, 1849, by James Taylor, 
J. P. 

Jesse Brown to Elizabeth Pearson, Dec. 19, 1826, by James Hatch¬ 
er, J. P. 


308 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James A. Brown to Mary Stephens, Aug. 24, 1834, by James 
Gibson, J. P. 

Zachariah Brown to Eliza Whitehurst, Dec. 19, 1833, by John 
Howard, M. E. C. 

Green Brown to Appa Parish, Dec. 29, 1834, by William R. Lord, 
J. P. 

William Bruiner to Sarah Thigpen, Aug. 30, 1838, by Joel Deese, 
J. P. 

Icullier Z. Buchotter to Ephry B. Beall, Jan. 3, 1826, by George 
W. Hucabee, M. G. 

James Bullock to Elizabeth Searcy, Apr. 4, 1823, by John Hardie, 
J. I. C. 

Jeptha Bullock to Ada Searcy, Feb. 24, 1841, by A. W. Jordon, 
J. P. 

Newton Bullock to Cyntha Bush, Feb. 1852, by William A. Hall, 
J. P. 

James Bullock to Susan Ann Cooper, Dec. 16, 1849, by James 
Tailor, J. P. 

John Burke to Sarah J. Carswell, Oct. 28, 1852, by J. E. Tharpe, 
M. G. 

Joseph M. Burke to Mary Goodman, Apr. 29, 1832, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

John F. Burney to Jane E. Stanley, Sept. 1, 1858, by William 
S. Baker, M. G. 

M. L. Burney to Mary A. Smith, Oct. 14, 1851, by John M. Bright, 
M. G. 

William Burris to Lozina Hooks, Feb. 2, 1854, by Everett Ridley, 
J. P. 

John Bush to Jane Deason, Sept. 1, 1845, by J. Bloodworth, J. P. 

William Bush to Martha J. Stuckey, Feb. 13, 1848, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

James M. Bush to Eliza Hall, May 18, 1834, by John Freeman, 
J. P. 

Francis M. Bush to Betsy Ann Pattashall, June 29, 1847, by 
James Pittman, J. P. 

Samuel Bush to Elizabeth Hughes, Oct. 25, 1835, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Cornelius Bachelor to Missouri Dabage, Dec. 12, 1839, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

John Bachelor to Sabrina Fountain, Sept. 28, 1837, by Franklin 
Vandivere, J. P. ~ 

Richard J. Bachelor to Adaline W. Willis, June 7, 1860, by J. W. 
Jones, J. I. C. 

Archibald Badgett to Nancy Matt, Jan. 23, 1823, by Thomas Mc- 
Ginty, J. I. C. 

John Bailey to Lisha Cauley, Jan. 4, 1838, by Allen Cannon, J. P. 

James Bush to Eliza Peacock, Oct. 21, 1841, by N. C. Hughes, J. P. 

Daniel Bush to Amilla A. E. D. Hardie, July 3, 1856, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Hugh Butler to Martha Sanders, Jan. 21, 1840, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

James Butler to Mary Buckholts, Feb. 13, 1839, by Allan Cannon, 
J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


309 


David Butler to Siliner Rozar, Apr. 11, 1833, by John Smith, J. P. 
George Butler to Adeline Howell, Jan. 13, 1857, by John Evers, 

J. P. 

Washington Butler to Rhoda Cobb, Nov. 16, 1830, by Charles C. 

Bell. 

Champion Butler to Louisa Dixon, June 22, 1828, by Charles J. 
McDonald, J. I. C. 

Lewis Butler to Sarah Ann Rawls, Nov. 16, 1839, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

James E. Butler to Manda Carr, May 9, 1847, by Eli Sears, J. P., 
William Butler, M. G. 

John Bracton to Nancy Hall, Sept. 23, 1826, by Bryant Collins, 

J. P. 

John Brooks to Martha Brewer, Apr. 27, 1848, by William D. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Samuel Brady to Lavina Miles, May 14, 1846, by Bryant O’Ban- 
ion, J. P. 

Alexander Baum to Amelia Freed, Jan. 8, 1851, by Samuel Beall, 

J. I. C. 

William Butler to Mary McGowin, May 24, 1859, by James R. 

Billue, J. P. 

John Callahorn to Mary Elizabeth Moore, June 7, 1838, by A. 
W. Jordan, J. P. 

E. F. M. Calaway to Louisa J. Whitehurst, May 1, 1838, by A. 
W. Jordan, J. P. 

Zachariah Cambess to Risey Mixon, Jan. 25, 1850, by John Lewis, 

J. P. 

Iverson Cannon to Virginia I. Murchison, Sept. 30, 1852, by James 
R. Bullue, J. P. 

James Cannon to Mary Lewis, Jan. 1, 1839, by John Huehs, M. G. 
John M. Cannon to Elizabeth Mathis, Aug. 29, 1853, by James 

R. Billue, J. P. 

John G. Cannon to Jane Green, Dec. 22, 1842, by John B. Isler, 

J. P. 

Samuel Cannon to Anna Bragg, Oct. 10, 1830, by Adam Jones. 
William A. Cannon to Sarah L. Dupree, Oct. 5, 1852, by James 
R. Billue, J. P. 

Wiley L. Cannon to Milley Ann Green, May 25, 1848, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Robert C. Carr to Frances A. Langford, Dec. 19, 1858, by C. O. 
Davis, J. P. 

Aaron Carr to Elizabeth Braziel, Dec. 28, 1851, by Willis Allen, 

J. P. 

Bailes Carr to Elizabeth Sawyer, May 16, 1852, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Stanmore Carr to Morgan Manderson, Nov. 25, 1836, by Merrit 
Ethridge, J. P. 

William B. Carr to Mary E. Jones, Aug. 3, 1856, by W. M. Cooper, 
M. G. 

Briton Carrington to Sarah Ryles, Aug. 21, 1834, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

William Carrington to Caley Collins, Feb. 21, 1836, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 


310 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Jesse Carrol to Mary Brawn, Aug-. 29, 1841, by Jackson Foun¬ 
tain, J. P. 

Perry Carrol to Hesta Paul, Jan. 15, 1835, by William Ross, J. P. 
Robert C. Carrol to Mary Merredith, Nov. 15, 1865, by E. J. 
Cook, M. G. 

J. G. Carswell to M. J. Brown, Nov. 4, 1857, by G. R. McCall. 
Matthew Carswell to Sarah O’Bannon, Feb. 22, 1852, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Matthew J. Carswell to Ellen H. Dupree, Feb. 11, 1858, by G. R. 
McCall, M. G. 

Nathaniel A. Carswell to P. E. R. Raines, May 20, 1858, by J. H. 
Carley, M. G. 

Charles H. Carter to Gilla C. Ryle, July 20, 1856, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

Thomas Cass to Elly Etheridge, Feb. 15, 1855, by E. E. Ethridge. 
John Castelow to Lucinda Gafford, Mar. 17, 1825, by Bryant Col¬ 
lins, J. P. 

James Cato to Epsy Holder, Oct. 12, 1854, by J. N. Miller, M. G. 
William Cato to Artimissa Bales, Nov. 12, 1837, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 

Allen Chambers to Polly Dixon, Dec. 18, 1834, by John Freeman, 
J. P. 

Berrin Chambers to Nancy Pickles, Jan. 21, 1841, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

William I. Chambers to Jane Hall, Sept. 2, 1841, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 

William Chambers to Isabel Garrett, Sept. 25, 1851, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Wilson Chambers to Mary Ann Jaons, May 23, 1837, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

Willis Chambers to Mary Freeman, Apr. 30, 1840, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Andrew J. Champion to Mary C. Ryles, Dec. 31, 1854, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

Green Chandler to Sarah Sanders, Jan. 26, 1845, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Joseph Chandler to Nancy Haskins, Sept. 10, 1851, by Mills M. 
Lord, J. P. 

William Chandler to Georgiann Wynn, Sept. 21, 1840, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

William Chapman to Nancy Yarborough, July 16, 1858, by Wil¬ 
liam A. Hall, J. I. C. 

Robert Charters to Jane Bloodworth, Aug. 3, 1843, by James 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

James Cherry to Louisa Frazure, Apr. 30, 1835, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

James Cherry to Mary Haywood, Aug. 27, 1850, by William Ross, 

J . A . 

James Cherry to Mary J. Collins, Sept. 7, 1855, by G. W. Butler, 

J. Jr. 

John V. Chewing to Mary J. Smith, Nov. 7, 1845, by N. C. Hughs, 

J . Jl, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


311 


Jeremiah Childs to Katherine McLane, Apr. 28, 1822, by Peter 
McArthur, J. P. 

Beverly Christopher to Sarah Cowart, May 12, 1832, by Joel 
Rivers, J. P. 

Sevi Christopher to Sizinah Deans, Oct. 9, 1834, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

Whitmel Christopher to Fanny Thompson, Mar. 12, 1828, by 
John F. Simmons. 

John Chumming to Margaret Manson, July 3, 1834, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

Isham Churchill to Harriet Timry, June 17, 1842, by Bryant O’ 
Bannion, J. P. 

Joseph Churchwell to Elizabeth Vaughn, Feb. 27, 1842, by Bryant 
O’Bannion. 

Martin L. Clanch to Beady Craft, July 22, 1824, by John Han¬ 
cock, J. P. 

Benjamin Clark to Ann Brown, Jan. 5, 184-, by William Garrett, 

J. P. 

Collin Clark to Milly Measles, July 28, 1828, by Jeremiah Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Dewry Clark to Hawley Shepherd, Oct. 6, 1825, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

James Clark to Mary Ann Vann, July 8, 1846, by William Brace- 
well, J. P. 

John W. Clark to Martha C. Murchison, May 29, 1832, by Wil¬ 
liam Garrett, J. P. 

Richard Clark to Eliza Simpson, Mar. 29, 1828, by Jeremiah Beall, 
C. C. O. 

Adam Clark to Mary Hancock, Dec. 24, 1832, by John Hancock, 

J. P. 

Lawrence Clark to Louisa J. Jackson, Oct. 22, 1853, by James 
Granade, M. G. 

Lewis Clay to Judith Jones, Dec. 24, 18-0, by James Clay, M. G. 
David M. (May to Francis O’Bannon, Jan. 3, 1850, by T. A. Huff, 
J. I. C. 

Peyton Clay to Nancy Jones, Dec. 19, 1830, by James Hatcher, 

J. P. 

Edmund Clay to Sally Jones, July 7, 1831, by James Hatcher, 

J. P. 

Absolom Cobb to Elizabeth Barfield, Jan. 26, 1831, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

Matthew Cobb to Cordilla Stephens, Feb. 29, 18...., by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

Wiley Cobb to Sally Taylor, Apr. 27, 1820, by Philip Pittman, J. P. 
William Cobb to Mary Ann Wise, Aug. 5, 1832, by Joel Rivers, 
J. P. 

Abraham Coleson to Anny Yerty, Feb. 13, 1823, by Charles Cul¬ 
pepper, J. P. 

Aldridge Collins to Peggy Hooks, Sept. 2,1855, by E. Ridley, J. P. 

A. A. Collins to Sarah A. Davidson, Aug. 24, 1825, by. 

Charles Collins to Susan Minter, Jan. 24, 1865, by W. T. Holland, 

J. P. 



312 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Elbert Collins to Matilda Exum, Aug. 23, 1835, by William Payne, 
M. G. 

Elbert Collins to Rebecca McCullars, Nov. 2, 1845, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Francis J. Collins to America Jerkins, Jan. 18, 1852, by John W. 
Breedlove, J. P. 

Franklin Collins to Lucinda Jerkins, by William Payne. 

James M. Collins to Lucinda Nulard, Apr. 13, 1839, by John 
Smith, J. P. 

Majer Collins to Elizabeth Bell, Dec. 28, 1831, by Thomas Tarp- 
ley, J. P. 

Jackson A. Collins to Martha Williams, Mar. 31, 1859, by Nelson 
Stuckey, J. P. 

W. W. Collins to Nancy Ades, Oct. 22, 1849, by Nelson Stuckey, 
J. P. 

Washington Collins to Ann Andrews, Dec. 27, 1840, by William 
Garrett, J. P. 

William L. Collins to Elizabeth Davidson, Nov. 2, 1854, by E. 
Ridley, J. P. 

William W. Collins to Nancy Bridges, Mar. 18, 1854, by Green 
B. Hughes, M. G. 

Zachariah Collins to Martha Chilley, Apr. 8, 1830, by Joel Dees, 
J. P. 

Zachariah Collins to Lethy Smith, June 25, 1857, by B. B. Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

William B. Colly to Jane Davis, Jan. 10, 1845, by William Gar¬ 
rott, J. P. 

William Colsaw to Harriet Eady, Dec. 26, 1842, by Henry Davis, 
J. P. 

Alfred Coly to Ann Husk, Dec. 26, 1842, by Allen Cannon, J. P. 

Elijah Cook to Sally Webb, May 14, 1837, by Joel Deese, J. P. 

Elijah Cook to Erinda Chandler, Sept. 26, 1841, by Henry Davis, 
J. P. 

Harry Cook to Elifair Fountain, May 21, 1845, by William Gar¬ 
rott, J. P. 

John Cook to Augustine Webb, Mar. 20, 1837, by Thomas Pres¬ 
ton, J. P. 

John Cook to Mary Ann Wise, Feb. 3. 1839, by Joel Deese, J. P. 

John Cook to Martha Night, Dec. 5, 1841, by William Garrott, 
J. P. 

William Cook to Nancy Vann, May 20, 1841, by Allen Cannon, 
J. P. 

William Cook to Mary Garrott, July 17, 1842, by Henry Davis, 
J. P. 

Thomas I. Cooper to Sarah Ann Etheridge, May 30. 1858, by 
Wiley F. Rogers, M. G. 

William Cooper to Rebecca Meredith, Sept. 2, 1830, by James 
Neal, J. I. C. 

John Cone to Mary Don, Sept. 14, 1837. by J. Bloodworth, J. P. 

Robert J. Cone to Apsaland Hichman, July 10, 1835, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

William D. Cony to Mary Dupree, Feb. 9, 1834, by William Payne, 
J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


313 


Coalson Copelin to Martha Myres, Mar. 31, 1860, by C. 0. Davis, 

J. P. 


Isaac Coulson to Sarah Parish, Nov. 24, 1835, by William R. 
Lord, J. P. 

Solomon Coulson to Sarah Holder, Nov. 4, 1832, by Elijah Ham¬ 
mock. 


James Counsil to Mary J. John, Dec. 18, 1856, by B. B. Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

John Counsil to Elizabeth Lindsey, Jan. 7, 1840, by Alexander 
Tindal, M. G. 

Williamson Crawford to Joel Dees, Sept. 10, 1820, by Amos 
Barnes, J. P. 

Lawson Criswell to Sarah Temples, Dec. 19, 1839, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

William Councel to Francis J. Granade, July 16, 1862, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

T. Carlton Coyle to Mrs. Eliza S. Lawther, June 14, 1859, by S. 
Landrum, M. G. 

Freeman I. Cross to Nicy Messer, July 17, 1856, by W. W. 
Hughs, J. P. 

James W. Cross to Sarah Ann Carr, Oct. 1, 1854, by Green B. 
Hughes, M. G. 

John W. Cross to Sarah King, May 14, 1854, by Green B. Hughs, 

M. G. 

Jesse Crumbly to Mary Bailey, May 12, 1853, by Henry Messer, 

M. G. 

John Crumbly to Judy Cone, Jan. 23, 1825, by James Williams, 

J. P. 

Valentine Crumley to Lucy Ann Ussery, Nov. 1, 1846, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Valentine Crumley to Nancy Holder, Dec. 23, 1851, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

William A. Crumley to Minna M. Watson, Mar. 23, 1851, by W. 
Ussery, J. P. 

Elisha Crumpton to Mary Miller, Jan. 11, 1835, by John Hearn- 
don, J. P. 

Rodurn Crutchfield to Margaret Harville, Feb. 19, 1860, by James 
Granade, M. G. 

Edmund Culpepper to Hesta McCook, Aug. 31, 1821, by Bryant 
Collins, J. P. 

James Cumbest to Thaney Williams, Dec. 14, 1834, by James 
Gibson, J. P. 

James W. Cumbiss to Rebecca Dyer, July 12, 1852, by L. B. Porter, 
M. G. 

Alexander H. Cumming to Mary A. Stanley, June 17, 1858, by 
William S. Baker, M. G. 

Eliazer Crumley to Judy Cone, Jan. 23, 1845, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

Williams Cummings to Teresa Butler, Mar. 23, 1830, by Shad- 
rack AdciTns J ^P 

James Daniel to Alsey Fordham, Oct. 14, 1851, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 


314 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Greenbury Daniel to Ailsy Dormany, Mar. 21, 1853, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Hamilton G. Daniel to Elifair Hoover, Sept. 17, 1843, by Charles 
Haise, M. G. 

Moses Daniel to Frances Craft, Nov. 15, 1854, by Larvy Fleet- 
wood, J. I. C. 

Peter Daniel to Peggy Lewis, Jan. 2, 1825, by Peter McArthur, 
J. I. C. 

Robert I. Daniel to Nancy I. Kinney, Sept. 12, 1850, by John L. 
Stephens, J. P. 

William H. Daniel to Sarah Ann Shenholster, Mar. 30, 1852, by 
Wright Noles, J. P. 

William Daniel to Sarah A. Chester, Sept. 5, 1756, by A. Pen¬ 
nington, J. P. 

Micajah Davenport to Sarah Berry, Aug. 12, 1844, by John Smith, 
J. P. 

Benjamin R. Davidson to Susan McClendon, Dec. 10, 1844, by 
John Smith, J. P. 

James A. Davidson to Margaret J. I. Smith, July 3, 1850, by Eli 
Sears, J. P. 

Joseph Davidson to Mary Dupree, Jan. 20, 1836, by David Smith, 
M. G. 

Joseph Davidson to Frances Exum, Sept. 6, 1855, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Joseph Davidson to Mary Ann Williams, Jan. 5, 1843, by Wil¬ 
liam Bellann, J. P. 

Jehu H. Davidson to Elitha Waters, Dec. 14, 1839, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

John Davidson to Mary G. Kemp, Feb. 28, 1865, by Nelson Stuck¬ 
ey, J. P. 

William Davidson to Sarah Bradley, June 22, 1824, by Timothy 
Sears, J. P. 

Aaron Davis to Rebecca Thompson, Sept. 8, 1820, by Amos Barnes. 
J. P. 

Aaron Davis to Anna Bellflower, Nov. 13, 1851, by Mills M. Lord, 
J. P. 

C. T. Davis to Sarah L. Reins, Dec. 24, 1857, by S. T. Player, 
J. P. 

C. T. Davis to Laura A. Reins, Feb. 28, 1865, by A. Pennington, 
J. P. 

Elbert Davis to Beurter Wynn, Nov. 12, 1845, by William Garrott, 
J. P. 

James Davis to Martha Passmore, Apr. 24, 1841, by Merrit Eth¬ 
eridge, J. I. C. 

James Davis to Rachael Holder, Apr. 10, 1864, by William R. 
Steely, M. G. 

Isaac W. Davis to Sarah A. E. Temples, Dec. 14, 1858, by C. O. 
Davis, J. P. 

John F. Davis to Caty Hite, May 29, 1823, by Thomas Pearce, 
M. G. 

John N. E. Davis to Elizabeth M. Dean, Aug. 25, 1852, by W. B. 
Shepherd, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


315 


Henry Davis to Mary Ann Boon, Oct. 16, 1837, by Thomas T. 
Prestwood, J. P. 

Cran Davis to Eliza Eady, Sept. 13, 1843, by Henry Davis, J. P. 
Thomas Davis to Melissa Barber, Dec. 22, 1857, by Joshua Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

William Davis to Elizabeth B. Gardner, Mar. 20, 1823, by John 
King, J. P. 

William Davis to Eliza Rodgers, Aug. 3, 1862, by Wiley T. Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

Underlull Davis to Matilda Riley, Mar. 25, 1828, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Elbert Daumany to Poshans Cerren, Feb. 15, 1844, by James R. 
Billue, J. P. 


William Dobbago to Sally Mash, Oct. 17, 1820, by Robert Clay, 

J. P. 


Daniel Dawsey to Elsy Fordham, July 4, 1841, by Allen Cannon, 
J. P. 

Daniel C. Day to Sarah Jane Snow, July 5, 1864, by A. Penning¬ 
ton, J. P. 


Calvin Dean to Elizabeth Chambers, Feb. 10, 1842, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

James Dean to Rachael Davis, Dec. 11, 1833, by Joseph Peacock, 
M. G. 


Lewis Dean to Martha Jane O’Banion, Aug. 2, 1835, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Thomas W. Dean to Nancy A. C. Smith, May 4, 1825, by George 
W. Payne, J. P. 

William W. Dean to Sarah I. Helton, Apr. 22, 1853, by William 
0. Beall, J. I. C. 

John Deason to Martha James, July 3, 1835, by John Hearndon, 

J. P. 


Matthew Deason to Sarena Dulcima Catherine Caroline Jonson, 
Apr. 6, 1843, by Samuel Beall, J. I. C. 

James Deck to Eady Barlow, Dec. 25, 1845, by William A. Hall, 
J. P. 

James Deese to Elizabeth Miller, Dec. 21, 1854, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 

Joel Deese to Nancy Lord, Oct. 12, 1836, by Thomas Tarpley, 
J. P. 

Mark Deese to Betsy Lord, June 5, 1823, by Jesse Pittman, J. P. 
David Delk to Frances McClendon, Aug. 11, 1825, by Charles Cul¬ 
pepper, M. G. 

R. I. Delk to Mary L. Smith, Dec. 20, 1849, by Eli Sears, J. P. 
William M. Dennard to Susan Fort, June 18, 1857, by Green B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

James Denning to Elizabeth Sanders, May 10, 1849, by L. G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

Ephriam Dennis to Serem Hicks, July 17, 1833, by James Hatcher, 
J. P. 

James Dicks to Mary Bloodworth, Aug. 27, 1848, by J. Bloodworth, 

J. P. 

John W. Dicks, to Caroline Davis, Sept. 7, 1852, by James Branan, 

J. P. 


316 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Thomas G. Dicks to Elizabeth Bloodworth, Dec. 26, 1847, by James 
Branan, J. P. 

Seth Dickinson to Temperance Mims, Dec. 25, 1831, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

Jeremiah C. Dickinson to Martha Green, Dec. 2, 1847, by G. B. 
Burney, J. I. C. 

Aaron Dixon to Martha Green, Dec. 29, 1852, by James Pittman, 
J. P. 

Coleman Dixon to Caroline Hartley, Mar. 11, 1841, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

Edmund Dixon to Martha Spears, Dec. 29, 1855, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Green Dixon to Rachel McCook, Oct. 28, 1845, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 

George Dixon to Jane Porter, Nov. 1, 1832, by William Ross, J. P. 

James Dixon to Levina Ussery, Jan. 29, 1846, by William A. Hall, 
J. P. 

John Dixon to Reubin Mathis, Dec. 26, 1854, by.. 

John Dixon to Vicy Davis, Feb. 18, 1821, by Amos Barnes, J. P. 

Freeman Dixon to Caroline Jackson, Aug. 24, 1842, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

Kinmon Dixon to Elizabeth Adams, Dec. 16, 1851, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

Thomas Dixon to Frances Ann Cannon, Oct. 29, 1846, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

T. R. Dixon to Jane E. Nesmith, Feb. 18, 1864, by James R. Bil- 
lue, J. P. 

James Doke to Sarah Youngblood, Feb. 15, 1842, by Merrit Eth- 
Tidge, J. I. C. 

Andrew Dominy to Mary Payne, Mar. 15, 1838, by Allen Cannon, 
J. P. 

John Dormany to Margaret Rawls, Nov. 26, 1851, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

Joseph E. Dominy to Mary Ann Fordham, Nov. 24, 1847, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Josiah Dominy to Nancy Coats, May 31, 1837, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 

Malcijah Doster to Polly Shepherd, May 1, 1834, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Jacob Dover to Rebecca Weaver, Mar. 22, 1835, by David Smith, 
M. G. 

William Dowery to Susan McNair, Oct. 27, 1844, by N. C. Hughs, 
J. P. 


Edward Dounie to Mary Marshall, Dec. 12, 1823, by Merrit Eth¬ 
eridge, J. I. C. 

Benjamin Dounie to Netty Marshall, Sept. 12, 1822, by Martin 
Hays, J. P. 

Asa Downing to Sarah McCland, June 18, 1845, by Solomon Ar¬ 
nold, J. P. 

Jacob Driskill to Mrs. Alley Meadows, July 5, 1823, by John 
King, J. P. 


John E. Duncan to Lucinda Wynn, June 7, 1849, by Mills M. Lord, 
J. P. 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


317 


William J. Duncan to Narcissa C. Howell, Nov. 4, 1855, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Jackson W. Dunn to Mary Williamson, Oct. 3, 1848, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Jesse Dunn to Sarah Crumpton, Sept. 6, 1831, by Shad. Adams, 

J. P. 

Thomas Dunn to Martha Rains, Oct. 9, 1839, by Merrit Eth¬ 
eridge, J. I. C. 

Jacob Dupree to Lydia Rigsby, Feb. 1, 1838, by William Cooper, 
M. G. 

Jacob Dupree to Amanda Metts, Sept. 18, 1845, by Henry Messer, 

M. G. 

Thomas Dupree to Olen Fordham, Dec. 27, 1833, by William 
Pavne, J. P. 

Green Dupriestto Anna Crisswell, Apr. 24, 1842, by John Branan, 
J. P. 

Allan Dykes to Betsy Ann Carr, Apr. 8, 1858, by S. T. Player, 

J. P. 

Isaiah Dykes to Nicey Taylor, Dec. 23,1824, by Adam Jones, M. G. 
Isaieth Dykes to Sary Boggs, Dec. 31,1833, by James Gibson, J. P. 
Moses Dykes to McNeal Flora, Nov. 27, 1834, by William Ross, J. P. 
Richard Dykes to Rebecca Ward, . 15, 1834, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

Richmond I. Dykes to Susan Ward, Aug. 19, 1832, by Joel Rigers, 

J. P. 

Warren W. Dykes to Martha Sanders, Sept. 15, 1860, by G. B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Zodock Dykes to Mary McNeal, Mar. 15, 1832, by Shad. Adams, 

J. P. 

John Eady to Mary Wetherby, Apr. 2, 1836, by Samuel Beall, 

J. I. C. 

John Eady to Frances Murphy, May 2, 1839, by Samuel Beall, 

J. I. C. 

John Eady to Martha John, Sept. 4, 1853, by W. Honeycut, J. P. 
John M. Eady to Martha Ann Smith, Oct. 5, 1862, by W. T. Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

R. O. Echols to Mary Stevens, June 6, 1853, by W. Ussery, J. P. 
John Edmunson to Mrs. Catherine Cannon, Feb. 3, 1839, by Wil¬ 
liam Stephens; J. P. 

John Edmundson to Nancy McKey, Sept. 15, 1826, by Wiley 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Calvin Edson to Elizabeth Hoover, Mar. 10, 1822, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Joseph C. Edwards to Martha M. R. Blow, July 2, 1857, by Daniel 
McCook, J. P. 

Simeon Ellington to Jane Fordham, Oct. 19, 1843, by John B. 
Isler, J. P. 

Joseph Ellis to Elizabeth Cobb, Jan. 15, 1824, by Adam Jones, M. G. 
David Ennis to Nancy Daniel, Mar. 28, 1826, by George Shen- 

holster, J. P. 

Benjamin F. Etheridge to Amsy J. Patterson, May 18, 1845, by 
John Evers, M. G. 



318 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Edmund Etheridge to Ann Shenholster, Nov. 6, 1845, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

Harrison Etheridge to Lucinda Clay, Mar. 10, 1839, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Briant Ethridge to Margaret Myers, Apr. 8, 1860, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

Bryant Ethridge to Nancy Myres, May 10, 1860, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

. ..psey Etheridge to Gracy Ryles, Aug. 4, 1859, by J. H. Jones, 
J. I. C. 

Harris Etheridge to Elizabeth Branan, Sept. 25, 1852, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

John Etheridge to Malinda C. Barlow, Sept. 25, 1852, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

John C. Etheridge to Elizabeth E. Shenholster, Dec. 22, 1852, by 
Berry Shepherd, M. G. 

Joseph Etheridge to Harriet Shepherd, May 28, 1844, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Joseph Ethridge to Frances Branan, Feb. 15, 1835, by Merrit 
Ethridge, J. I. C. 

Lewis M. Ethridge to Susan Gainey, Oct. 13, 1853, by Wright 
Noles, J. P. 

Merrit Ethridge to Sarah McKinsey, Feb. 18, 1838, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Mitchell Ethridge to Eliabeth Vaughn, Oct. 13, 1834, by William 
R. Lord, J. P. 

Sam Ethridge to Caroline Jackson, Sept. 5, 1839, by John Hughs, 
M. G. 

Samuel S. Etheridge to Elizabeth Sanders, June 30,1859, by James 
Granade, M. G. 

Seaborn Ethridge to Cily Smith, Aug. 26, 1832, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

Shelby P. Etheridge to Lucinda Wheeler, Oct. 13, 1847, by Alex 
Tindal, M. G. 

Wiley Etheridge to Nancy Peacock, July 27, 1838, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

William Etheridge to Nicy Underwood, Sept. 1, 1824, by George 
Shenholster, J. P. 

William Etheridge to Amanda L. Spence, Sept. 2, 1852, by Daniel 
McCook, J. P. 

M. V. Easom to Martha Craft, Nov. 24, 1853, by Westley Honey- 
cut, J. P. 

John Evans to Mary Acock, July 19, 1822, by Philip Pittman, J. P. 

John F. Evans to Martha Dixon, Feb. 12, 1849, by G. B. Burney, 

J. I. c. 

Julius W. Evins to Nancy Garrott, Apr. 23, 1848, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Allen Evanson to Vienna Murry, June 31, 1842, by Henry Davis, 

J • -L • 

Mitchell Everidge to Mary Ann Jenkins, June 17, 1838, by Allen 
Cannon, J. P. J 

M Wagner Eyland to Sarah F. Ard, Sept. 5, 1832, by John W. Baker, 

Levi Ezill to Parmelia Hall, Dec. 22,1842, by John W. Baker, M. G. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


319 


Abraham I. Fairchild to Susanna Dixon, Feb. 16, 1826, by James 
Ross, J. P. 

Needham Falk to Aisley Barber, June 25, 1826, by P. E. Hae, J. P. 
David Fann to Kissiah Rutherford, Jan. 3, 1830, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

James Faulk to Francess Moore, Nov. 28, 1841, by A. W. Jordan, 
J. P. 

Porter Faulk to Susan Winderweedle, Sept. 29, 1824, by Peter 
Buckholts, J. P. 

William Fennel to Ammey Williams, Apr. 7, 1839, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

William Fisher to Sabina Lucas, Jan. 27, 1831, by James Moon¬ 
ing, J. I. C. 

Abel I. Flemister to Mary I. Solomon, Dec. 15, 1857, by C. G. 
Johnson, J. P. 

W. C. Flemister to M. A. L. Sanders, Aug. 17, 1865, by William 
Griffin. 

Leroy Fleetwood to Nancy Etheridge, Jan. 3, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Elias Ford to Martham Tindal, Nov. 21, 1847, by James Pittman, 

J. P. 

Fielding Ford to Nancy Lord, Aug. 31, 1856, by James R. Billue, 
J. P. 

Isaac Fort to Sarah Brewer, Nov. 1, 1849, by William D. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

William A. Fort to Matilda Elizabeth Hearn, Aug. 31, 1848, by 
James Pittman, J. P. 

Benjamin Fordham to Rose Ann Lord, Jan. 22, 1846, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Jeremiah Fordham to Mary Ann Dorminy, Sept. 4, 1856, by Wil¬ 
liam J. Baker, M. G. 

Robert Fordham to Anna Domini, Nov. 6, 1832, by William 
Payne, J. P. 

Salather Fordham to Elizabeth Pickle, Aug. 31, 1841, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Wiley Fordham to Lucretia Cannon, Mar. 14, 1845, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

William Folk to Wilky Ann Justice, Jan. 10, 1856, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Zenus Fordham to Luanda Rigby, Dec. 1, 1842, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

A. J. Fountain to Luisa Stephens, Jan. 19, 1860, by G. B. Hughs, 
M. G. 

Benjamin Fountain to Eliza Jane Wright, Jan. 24, 1841, by Sam¬ 
uel Beall, J. I. C. 

Jackson Fountain to Rebecca Batchelor, July 19, 1832, by Joel 
Rivers, J. P. 

James Fountain to Bethel Jones, Nov. 10,1836, by Thomas Spence, 

J. P. 

James Fountain to Sabrina Chambers, May 17, 1842, by Henry 
Davis, J. P. 

John Fountain to Sarah Ann Bell, June 15, 1859, by S. T. Player, 
J. P. 


320 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Lewis Fountain to Elizabeth Pickrin, July 15, 1833, by Joseph 
Peacock lil Cj« 

William Fountain to Elizabeth Budd, July 22, 1824, by James 
Williams, J. P. . 

William S. Fountain to Mary Ganey, Jan. 16, 1843, by J. Fountain, 
J. P. 

William Fountain to Frances Webb, Mar. 31, 1844, by Henry 


Davis, J. P. 

Joel W. Fowler to Mary Smithy, Mar. 22, 1827, by John Fleming, 
J. I. C. 

John Fowler to Mary Martin, Sept. 21, 1853, by Allen Chambers, 
J. P. 

John Fragain to Elizabeth Gay, Nov. 30, 1836, by John Hearn- 
don, J. P. 

Mitchell Frazier to Amsy Hooks, May 1, 1842, by S. J. Bush, J. P. 

Thomas Frazier to Amanda Lindsey, Jan. 15, 1840, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Harvey M. Freeman to Meponri Octavia Davis, June 26, 1851, 
by Samuel Beall, J. I. C. 

Jacob M. Freeman to Eliza Ann Elizabeth O’Banion, Feb. 10, 
1848, by Joseph M. Lord, J. P. 

James Freeman to Martha E. Dean, July 6, 1848, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

John Freeman to Elizabeth Cawley, July 3, 1822, by John S. Scott, 
M. G. 

John D. Freeman to Martha Chambers, Mar. 11, 1853, by Wil- 
com Ussery, J. P. 

John H. Freeman to Mary Amanda Freeman, Jan. 15, 1846, by 
Joseph M. Lord, J. P. 

John Freeman to Rachel B. Ellington, Apr. 28, 1846, by O. H. 
P. Rawls, J. I. C. 

Robert Freeman to Margaret Carroll, Mar. 4, 1851, by G. B. Bur¬ 
ney, J. I. C. 

Thomas M. Freeman to Eliza N. Davis, Nov. 12, 1856, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

T. M. Freeman to Celia Vanlandingham, Mar. 16, 1865, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

Ellis French to Serson Simpson, July 14, 1865, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

Robert F. Fruney to Julian Barber, July 17, 1853, by S. T. Player, 
J. P. 


John Fuller to Ann McSwan, Sept. 24, 1838, by Adam Jones, M. G. 
John R. Fuller to Mrs. Mary E.- Bloodworth, July 17, 1846, by 
A. Pennington, J. P. 

William Fuller to Martha Dunn, Jan. 28, 1843, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 


Jacob Gainey to Kissandra Branan, Apr. 15, 1852, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

James H. Gainey to Margaret McNeal, Feb. 31, 1865, by R. F. 
Rozar, J. I. C. 

Richard C. Gainey to Sarah Ann Manning, Aug. 29, 1850, by 
James Pittman, J. P. 

William A. Gainey to Margaret McNeal, Feb. 3, 1853, by Eli 
Sears, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


321 


William A. Goff to Nancy Prestwood, Apr. 5, 1850, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

John Gardner to Pricilla Ryals, Aug. 9, 1846, by William D. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Billington Garrett to Susah Smith, May 31, 1832, by Timothy 
Sears, J. P. 

Enoch Garrett to Gesseat (Keziah) Fountain, Apr. 7, 1820, by Levi 
Peacock, M. G. 

James Garrett to Lucinda Hutchinson, Jan. 18, 1820, by Jesse 
Pittman, J. P. 

James Garrott to Lydia Brown, Dec. 29, 1833, by William H. 
Lord, J. P. 

Jeremiah Garrott to Mary King, Aug. 15, 1822, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

John M. Garrett to Martha Melina Thompson, Jan. 21, 1859, by 
James Pittman, J. P. 

John Garrott to Gracy Stephens, Dec. 24, 1846, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

John R. Garrott to Mary Ann Vaughn, Nov. 5, 1854, by James 
Granade, M. G. 

William Garrott to Rebecca Chambers, Apr. 2, 1848, by Joseph 
M. Lord, J. P. 

John Gawley to Elizabeth Miller, Oct. 31, 1821, by John Hatcher, 

J. P. 

Robert Gauley to Zilphrey Delk, May 14, 1820, by Thomas Sher- 
rier, J. P. 

John Gay to Ansey Delany Virginia Ann Macy Hawkins Murren, 
Oct. 7, 1854, by Jackson Fountain, J. P. 

Samuel J. Gee to Mary J. Ryle, Aug. 21, 1846, by W. F. Rogers, 
M. G. 

John Gibson to Elizabeth Beall, Dec. 10, 1835, by Jesse Peacock, 

M. G. 

Nathaniel Gibson to Eliza F. Frazier, Feb. 20, 1849, by Willis 
Allen, J. P. 

Thomas Gobson to Mary M. Bragg, July 25, 1844, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

Charles B. Giddis to Caroline Hicks, July 9, 1846, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

Bird S. Gilbert to Rosa Tabb, Mar. 25, 1858, by Berry B. Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

E. J. Gilbert to C. C. Hicks, Feb. 24, 1842, by Wiley Holland, J. P. 
Jacob Gilbert to Nancy Walker, Nov. 2, 1824, by Richard Whit- 
skcr J p 

William Gilbert to Anerlia Gilbert, Feb. 18, 1846, by C. D. Mall¬ 
ory, M. G. 

John Gillespie to Jane Phrasure, July 20, 1820, by H. Hargrove, 

J. P. 

Steven Gillmore to Rachel Gray, Oct. 12, 1823, by Shad. Adams, 

J. P. 

Henry Goff to Pickrin Nancy, Dec. 26, 1834, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
Joseph N. I. Goldin to Margaret S. Willis, Jan. 21, 1855, by Leroy 
Fleetwood, J. I. 

Washington J. Golden to Tabitha Fuller, Sept. 13, 1846, by A. 
Pennington, J. P. 


322 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


William C. Goldin to Elizabeth C. Murphy, Mar. 30, 1848, by Mer- 
rit Etheridge, J. I. C. 

William Goldin to Sarah Rustin, June 5, 1828, by John S. Sim¬ 
mons, J. I. C. 

William Goldin to Elizabeth Manderson, Oct. 17, 1839, by J. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

William W. Goldin to Caroline Farmer, Jan. 21, 1855, by Leroy 
Fleetwood, J. P. 

Isaac Goodman to Elizabeth Payne, Jan. 5, 1842, by John B. 
Isler J. P. 

James Goodman to Sarah Bradley, Dec. 18, 1834, by William 
Cooper, J. P. 

James Goodman to Martha Webb, Oct. 22, 1840, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. 

James F. Goodman to Lamanda Dean, Oct. 18, 1849, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

.H. Goodman to Caroline Newmalin, May 10, 1860, by H. Saw- 

enthial, J. P. 

Robert H. Goodman to Nancy Dean, Nov. 27, 1849, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

Lester Gordon to Mary Horn, Nov. 21, 1833, by John Freeman, 
J. P. 

Davis Graham to Winna Sanders, Sept. 16, 1844, by Bryant 
O’Banion, J. P. 

Elijah Granade to Martha Nush, Nov. 12, 1835, by James Gibson, 
J. P. 

J. Granthorne to Polly McWilliams, Mar. 24, 1825, by Bryant 
Collins, J. P. 

Boldwin Gray to Rachael Gilmore, July 22, 1824, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

James W. Gray to Mary Jane E. Calhoun, Jan. 2, 1849, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

James W. Gray to Sarah Ann Calhoun, Dec. 14, 1851, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

William Gray to Nancy Dupree, Dec. 6, 1821, by Isaac Hall, J. P. 

Dennis Grayham to Rhody A. Clark, May 24, 1855, by Westly 
Honey cut, J. P. 

Jesse I. Green to Susan E. Stanley, Mar. 8, 1853, by James R. 
Billue, J. P. 

John Green to Lucy Stevenson, Sept. 6, 1832, by Adam Jones, M. G. 

Robert Greer to Rachel M. Ellis, Oct. 1, 1827, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

Solomon Greer to Anny January, Feb. 5, 1837, by David Smith, 
M. G. 

William Gresham to Martha Temples, Aug. 25, 1825, by J. Tem¬ 
ples, J. P. 

Adam Gresham to Martha E. Bloodworth, May 18, 1862, by Berry 
Shepherd, J. P. 

William Gunn to Charity Shows, Aug. 19, 1825, by John M. Bur- 
gin, J. P. 

William Gunn to Mary J. Williams, July 16, 1854, by Green B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Alexander D. Hall to Emeline Hickmon, July 1st, 1845, by Dan 
Brewer, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


323 


Daniel Hall to Polly Keal, Mar. 16, 1826, by James Ross, J. P. 
Hansford Hall to Mary E. Dixon, Oct. 23, 1864, by 0. H. P. Rawls, 
J. I. C. 

James N. Hall to Zilpha Bush, Aug. 3, 1851, by William A. Hall, 
J. P. 

James W. Hall to Ginsey Hughs, Sept. 12, 1850, by Samuel Beall, 

J I C 

John W. Hall to Mary Stevens, May 22, 1860, by J. W. Jones, 

J. I. C. 

Limon A. Hall to Charlotte Harville, Dec. 22, 1850, by William 
A. Hall, J. P. 

William A. Hall to Edna Paulk, Jan. 21, 1836, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

William W. Hall to Mary Hicks, Jan. 12, 1836, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

William Hall to Nancy Statham, Jan. 1, 1824, by Isaac Hall, J. P. 
Wade Hampton to Mary Spears, July 25, 1825, by Bryant Collins, 

J. P. 

John Hancock to Mary Ann Etheridge, June 7, 1848, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

J. L. Hancock to Keysiah Cannon, Mar. 7, 1822, by John M. Gray, 

V. D. M. 

Wiley Hancock to Elizabeth Sanders, May 9, 1841, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

William Hancock to Milley Ridley, Jan. 26, 1826, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

Allen Hardie to Sarah Leslie, Jan. 30, 1823, by John McKinzie, 
M. G. 

Lawrenser Hardie to Caroline King, Nov. 22, 1849, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Robert Hardie to I. F. Gillian, Mar. 11, 1821, by John Ross, J. P. 
Theopolus Hardie to Elizabeth A. Veal, Nov. 9, 1847, by James 
Gibson, J. I. C. 

Vinson Hardie to Abigail McCloud, June 21, 1847, by James Les¬ 
lie, J. I. C. 

William Hardie to Leanvisia Perkins, Dec. 24, 1822, by John 
Hardie, J. I. C. 

James Hardie to Harriet Ryles, Jan. 21, 1836, by James Gibson, 

J. P. 

Townslin Hardin to James Elizabeth Hatfield, Apr. 17, 1832, by 
William Choice, M. G. 

Harry Hardison to Dicy Marrice, Mar. 21, 1822, by John Ross, 
M. G. 

Zachariah B. Hargrove to Malinda Tait, Feb. 24, 1821, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

H. P. Harrell to Elizabeth Hooks, July 29, 1855, by S. T. Player, 

J. P. 

David Harrington to Ann Beck, Mar. 31,1842, by John L. Branan, 
J. P. 

John Harris to Isabel Rogers, Sept. 15, 1844, by William Garrott, 
J. P. 

John Harrison to Patsy Lindsey, Apr. 5,1822, by B. Mitchell, J. P. 
Thomas B. Harrison to Caroline McRafee, Feb. 11, 1858, by L. 

W. Clay, J. P. 


324 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Heliory E. Hartley to Martha Helton, Nov. 27, 1857, by William 

A. Hall, J. P. 

James Hartley to Winifred Skipper, July 17, 1842, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

Joel Hartley to Rachael Skipper, Feb. 6, 1845, by William Hall, 
J. P. 

John H. Hartley to Sarah Ann Walters, July 24, 1857, by Joshua 
Shepherd, J. P. 

Mason Hartley to Nancy Dixon, Mar. 9, 1844, by Isaac Lindsey, 
J. P. 

Riley M. Hartley to Martha E. Skipper, Nov. 28, 1850, by James 
R. Billue, J. P. 

Harrison E. Harville to Catherine Jessup, Mar. 11, 1858, by 
Green B. Hughes, J. P. 

Iverson L. Harville to Frances Vanlandingham, Dec. 5, 1855, by 
Henry Messer, M. G. 

Ellis Harville to Priscilla Paulk, Feb. 8, 1828, by John M. Burg- 
Ion, J. P. 

William Hasta to Lydia Howard, Dec. 31, 1835, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Edmond Hatcher to Margaret Henderson, Dec. 1, 1853, by Berry 

B. Shepherd, M. G. 

John H. Hatcher to Darcus Ross, Sept. 5, 1839, by N. W. Nootus, 
M. G. 

John Hatcher to Caroline Honey cut, May 24, 1848, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

Reuben Hatcher to Mary Kemp, Dec. 25, 1826, by George Shen- 
holster, J. P. 

Robert Hatcher to Nancy Stubbs, Mar. 2, 1845, by B. O’Bannon, 
J. P. 

Joseph Hatfield to Martha Freeman, Dec. 23, 1841, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

Richard Hatfield to Lucy Ann Fountain, July 5, 1860, by S. T. 
Player, J. P. 

Samuel Hatfield to Lacy Ann Johnson, Aug. 20, 1835, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

John Hathorn to Nancy Blackburn, Jan. 13, 1822, by B. Mitchell, 
J. P. 

Robert M. Hawthorne to Elizabeth Price, May 21, 1848, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

Stephen I. Hathorne to Risey A. M. Jordan, Oct. 3, 1850, by Wil¬ 
liam Ross, J. P. 

William Hathorne to Mary Mixon, Dec. 21, 1842, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

Joshua Hawkins to Suanna Passmore, Sept. 25,1822, by John Han¬ 
cock, J. P. 

James Hays to Nelly Moore, Jan. 24, 1835, by James Hatcher, J. P. 

Benjamin Haywood to Polly Wadsworth, Mar. 4, 1845, by Dan 
Brewer, J. P. 

Aber J. Helton to Mary A. Shepherd, Feb. 4, 1858, by William S. 
Baker, M. G. 

Joseph Hern to Sarah E. Fountain, Feb. 6, 1824, by W. Ussery, 
J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


325 


Benjamin Henderson to Ady Smith, Oct. 14, 1824, by Timothy 
Sears, J. P. 

W. F. Hoover to Sarah F. Brown, Jan. 26, 1865, by Lewis Hearn- 
don, J. P. 

George Hearndon to Sarah Wheeler, Jan. 20, 1859, by J. H. 
Jones, J. I. C. 

George Hearndon to Esther Pattishall, Oct. 22, 1833, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

John Hearndon to Elizabeth Thompson, Feb. 21, 1833, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Love Herndon to Sarah Branan, Dec. 11, 1845, by Daniel Smith, 
M. G. 

Merrymon P. Herndon to Clara H. Tarply, Feb. 17, 1859, by 
Wiley F. Rogers, M. G. 

John Herrington to Laury Miller, Dec. 16, 1835, by William W. 
Goldin, J. P. 

R. G. Heyman to Mary McIntyre, Sept. 23, 1863, by James T. 
Ainzworth, M. G. 

John Hickman to Eliza Beall, Sept. 19, 1838, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Daniel Hicks to Sarah Meadows, Jan. 18, 1844, by Isaac Lindsey, 

J. P. 

John D. Hicks to Amelia A. Fleetwood, Dec. 12, 1858, by S. T. 
Player, J. P. 

Josiah W. Hill to Amanda Potts, May 14, 1840, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Samuel Hill to Harriet Napper, July 22, 1841, by William Gar¬ 
rett, J. P. 

Russell Hitson to Pathony Slaughter, Feb. 4, 1851,. by John Du¬ 
pree, M. G. 

David M. C. D. Hogan to Martha A. Smith, Apr. 3, 1850, by Ellis 
Harville, M. G. 

Elijah C. Hogan to Gilla Rivers, Jan. 4, 1855, by John Evers, 

0. D. M. 

James F. Hogan to Martha Ann Ridley, July 27, 1856, by Green 
B. Hughes, M. G. 

John G. R. Hogan to Mary Bullock, Sept. 5, 1848, by William A. 
Hall, J. P. 

William P. Hogan to Jane Ann Walters, Apr. 26, 1857, by Joshua 
Shepherd, J. P. 

Burrel Holder to Elizabeth Branan, May 5, 1859, by Joshua Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

Jesse Holder to Martha Hardie, Jan. 7, 1841, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

Jesse Holder to Harriet Farmer, Dec. 3, 1858, by C. 0. Davis, 

J. P. 

William Holder to Martha Sanders, Feb. 3, 1839, by Joel Deese, 
J. P. 

William Holder to Elizabeth Farmer, Dec. 5, 1858, by C. O. Davis, 
J. P. 

E. J. Holland to Eliza Granade, Nov. 30, 1854, by W. B. Shepherd, 
J. P. 

J. E. Holland to Sarah Brannan, June 11, 1865, by W. F. Rogers, 

M. G. 


326 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


W. L. Holland to Ruby Ann Mehaffy, Dec. 19, 1865, by 0. H. P. 
Rawls, J. I. C. 

Wiley Holland to Ireny Passmore, Apr. 30, 1825, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

Willey Holland to Frances E. McKinzie by J. Bloodworth, J. P., 
Dec. 25, 1842. 

William Holland to Rebecca C. Wheeler, May 6, 1855, by James 
Granade, M. G. 

Presly H. Holly to Susannah Ussery, Feb. 27, 1825, by Jesse 
Pittman, J. P. 

Meredith Honeycut to Faithy Jackson, Nov. 3, 1852, by Wright 
Noles, J. P. 

Archibald Hooks to Tabytha Etheridge, Apr. 7, 1830, by Wiley 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Daniel Hooks to Paysey Cherry, Mar. 13, 1823, by John Hardie, 
J. I. C. 

Daniel Hooks to Polly Smith, Apr. 7, 1825, by Shadrack Adams, 
J. P. 

Daniel Hooks to Nancy Meredith, Mar. 2, 1843, by N. C. Hughes, 
J. P. 

Daniel Hooks to Martha Jackson, July 20, 1851, by William A. 
Hall, J. P. 

Charles Hooks to Rose Ann Honeycut, Nov. 26, 1840, by Ellis 
Harville, J. P. 

Charles Hooks to Epsy Beck, May 31, 1849, by Ellis Harville, 
M. G. 

Henry Hooks to Mary Todd, Oct. 16, 1838, by William Ross, J. P. 

Isaiah Holmes to Mariah Perry, Dec. 5, 1826, by Lukfield Per¬ 
kins, J. P. 

John Hooks to Irene Ridley, Aug. 19, 1845, by Ellis Harville, M. G. 

John Hooks to Amelia Etheridge, Mar. 2, 1851, by W. M. Cooper, 
M. G. 


John E. Hooks to Martha Wise, June 30, 1854, by John S. Steph¬ 
ens, J. P. 

John R. Hooks to Martha Wrye, July 2, 1846, by N. C. Hughes, 
J. P. 

Leroy Hooks to Caroline Parks, Nov. 22, 1855, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 


Thomas Hooks to Lucinda McGough, Nov. 21, 1841, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Thomas Hooks to Maggy L. Barnet, Mar. 12, 1845, by N. C. 
Hughs, J. P. 


William Hooks to Nancy M. Paulk, Mar. 1, 1860, by G. B. Hughs, 
J. P. 


Henry Hoover to Mary Bloodworth, Nov. 27, 1853, by J. P. Hustin, 
J. P. 


James Hoover to Rhody Barlow, Feb. 11, 1855, by Ellis Harville, 
M. G. 


James M. Hoover to Frances Payne, Mar. 18, 1847, by John Du¬ 
pree, M. G. 

James Hoover to Mary Ann Peacock, Aug. 3, 1837, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Joel Hoover to Sarah Stevens, Feb. 22, 1822, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


327 


John Hoover to Priscilla Peacock, May 30, 1844, by Samuel Beall, 

J. I. C. 

John Hoover to Sarah S. Porter, Dec. 16, 1845, by N. C. Hughs, 
J. P. 

John Hoover to Rebecca Wall, Nov. 16, 1856, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 


William Hoover to Rebecca Vincent, Jan. 7, 1835, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

William Hoover to Fanny Ross, Nov. 7, 1836, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 


Quin Horn to Mary Shelly, July 15, 1824, by Jesse Pittman, J. P. 
Nathan Horn to Nancy G. Whitaker, July 31, 1821, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Richard Horn to Sarah Candler, May 12, 1830, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. 

William K. Horn to Arenna H. Wynn, Oct. 28, 1855, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

John Horton to Susan Hocsin, Jan. 11, 1842, by N. C. Hughs, J. P. 
Jonah Horton to Pansey D. Spears, Dec. 11, 1856, by Green B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Benjamin I. Howard to Caroline Bustin, Sept. 2, 1838, by Adam 
Jones, M. G. 

Henry Howard to Elizabeth Lawson, June 30, 1859, by Nelson 
Stuckey, J. P. 

Benjamin Howell to Nancy Weaver, Feb. 21, 1833, by George 
Shenholster, J. P. 

David Howell to Drucilla Howell, July 30, 1827, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 

James Howell to Betsy Crumbly, Jan. 8, 1824, by James Williams, 

J. P. 


James Howell to Elizabeth Avey, Dec. 20,1838, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
John L. Howell to Rhody Johnson, Mar. 24, 1853, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 

William Howell to Margaret Ann Duncan, Sept. 10, 1857, by Wil¬ 
liam Garrett, J. P. 

David Hudson to Sarah Wheeler, July 27, 1859, by M. L. Thomp¬ 
son, J. P. 

Benjamin Hughs to Jensy Pittman, Feb. 6, 1845, by N. C. Hughs, 

J. P. 


Green B. Hughs to Nancy Methvin, Nov. 12, 1839, by John Hughs, 

M. G. 


James Hughs to Emily M. Patterson, Nov. 15, 1837, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

James Hughs to Martha Pittman, Mar. 21, 1850, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

John T. Hughs to E. F. Stanley, Sept. 21, 1863, by J. T. Hughs, 
M. G. 

Nathaniel Hughs to Eliza Witt, Jan. 7,1839, by John Hughs, M. G. 

Nathaniel C. Hughs to George Ann Hatcher, Dec. 27, 1842, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

David Humphryes to Anjaline Farmer, Sept. 30, 1850, by Benja¬ 
min F. Ryles, J. P. 

Westly Honeycut to Martha J. Hooks, Oct., 1845, by Merritt Eth¬ 
eridge, J. L C. 


328 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


John Hurston to Eliza Brady, July 31, 1842, by Bryant O’Ban- 
non, J. P. 

John W. Hyde to Nancy White, Dec. 27,1822, by Shadrack Adams, 
J. P. 

Charles Iva to Priscilla Gibson, Nov. 5, 1841, by Adam Jones, 


1VL. VJT • 

Nathan W. Isler to Catherine Goodman, Apr. 18, 1836, by James 
H. Foften, J. P. . , _ 

Michael Isler to Sarah Webb, Oct. 20, 1839, by David Smith, M. G. 

Andrew Jackson to Tiny Truit, Jan. 27, 1831, by Timothy Sears, 
J. P. 

Harmond Jackson to Hopy Etheridge, Dec. 27, 1840, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

James Jackson to Elizabeth Pittman, June 14, 1832, by George 
Shenholster, J. P. 

Jesse Pittman to Elizabeth Powell, Apr. 27, 1831, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 

Joseph E. Jackson to Sarah S. Jenkins, Nov. 25, 1852, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Nathan Jackson to Polly Rogers, Mar. 13, 1822, by Timothy Sears, 
J. P. 

Robert Jackson to Epsy Smith, Apr. 2, 1835, by Stephen Whipple, 
J. P. 

Elisha James to Elizabeth Bales, June 11, 1857, by C. O. Davis, 
J. P. 

Nicholas Jenkins to Mary Sanders, Dec. 10, 1845, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Lovet Jenkins to Rena Cherry, Aug. 1, 1834, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Robert Jenkins to Sarah Stuckey, Dec. 26, 1837, by James Ross, 
J. P. 

William S. Jessup to Frances E. Rossie, Nov. 24, 1840, by Lawny, 
M. G. 

Samuel Jimmerson to Mahonna Jones, Sept. 29, 1833, by William 
R. Lord, J. P. 

Francis John to Elizabeth Bruner, Sept. 7, 1843, by J. S. Bush, 
J. P. 

Isaac L. John to Shady Meadows, Feb. 5, 1865, by A. Pennington, 
J. P. 


James John to Rutha Lindsey, Oct. 10, 1831, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 

Jonathan John to Eliza Ann Hancock, Dec. 28, 1842, by Wiley 
Shepherd, J. P. 

Sephaniah John to Martha Lindsey, Nov. 7, 1833, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 


William Jones to Unity Lindsey, 
J. I. C. 


Mar. 29, 1838, by Samuel Beall, 


William L. John to Pheby S. Smith, May 8, 1865, by E. E. Ether¬ 
idge, J. P. 

Abraham Johnson to Sarah O’Bannon, May 5, 1836, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Burrel Johnson to Drueilla Prewit, Dec. 7, 1854, by William Fitz¬ 
patrick, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


329 


Callaway Johnson to Hannah S. Lavender, Feb. 18, 1852, by Janies 
Pittman, J. P. 

Charles T. Johnson to Delphia Mercer, Feb. 3, 1854, by Jesse B. 
Carroll, J. P. 

Isaac Johnson to Catherine Ross, Mar. 5, 1846, by John H. Breed¬ 
love, M. G. 

Jacob Johnson to Anna Barnet, July 27, 1845, by Ellis Harville, 
M. G. 

John Johnson to Sarah Brewer, Jan. 25, 1845, by John Hughs, 
M. G. 

Martin Johnson to Unity Lindsey, Mar. 29, 1838, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

M. 0. Johnson to Nancy Lord, Sept. 18, 1851, by Jesse Peacock, 

M. G. 

Renching J. Johnson to Elizabeth Ward, Aug. 26, 1860, by C. G. 
Johnson, M. G. 

Robert Johnson to Clary Herndon, Feb. 11, 1836, by John Hern¬ 
don, J. P. 

Robert Johnson to Mary Ann Carr, September 22, 1844, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

Allen B. James to Eliot Bloodworth, Dec. 8, 1855, by James Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Bryant Jones to Bathana Herndon, Aug. 20, 1836, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Benjamin C. Jones to Nicessa Ann Elizabeth Parker, Jan. 23, 1855, 
by W. M. Cooper, M. G. 

Caleb A. Jones to Elizabeth Rudd, Dec. 26, 1844, by William Gar- 
rott, J. P. 

Daniel Jones to Suannah Clark, Dec. 22, 1825, by James Gibson, 
J. P. 

Gabriel Jones to Mary Ann Carr, Sept. 17, 1846, by J. Bloodworth, 

J. P. 

Hyrom Jones to Sarah Reeves, Mar. 31, 1841, by Wiley Holland, 
J. P. 

Isaac Jones to Becky Emily Bush, July 20, 1842, by S. J. Bush, 

J. P. 

Isaac Jones to Nancy Herring, Jan. 23, 1819, by Philip Pittman, 
J. P. 

James B. Jones to Caroline M. Day, Aug. 28, 1851, by Daniel Mc¬ 
Cook, J. P. 

Jesse Jones to Mary F. Johnson, Aug. 15, 1841, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

John Jones to Rena Kemp, Jan. 21, 1836, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
John Jones to Obedience Hatcher, Mar. 17, 1839, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

John Jones to Sarah Barnet, Jan. 21, 1841, by James Leslie, J. P. 
John Jones to Nancy Vaughn, Apr. 27, 1843, by B. O’Bannon, J. P. 
John Jones to Mary Holder, Aug. 2, 1848, by William Ross, J. P. 
Josiah Jones to Caroline Myrick, July 15, 1841, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Josiah H. Jones to L. S. R. Bostwick, Nov. 15, 1857, by G. B. 
Hughs, ‘M. G. 

Kelly Jones to Martha Ann Paul, Jan. 5, 1834, by Henry Cham¬ 
bers, J. P. 


330 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Kindred Jones to Malinda Mims, Sept. 24, 1824, by James Wil¬ 
liams, J. P. 

Mathew Jones to Eveline Ballard, Nov. 25, 1849, by John Wheel¬ 
er, J. P. 

Peter Jones to Sarah Mukky, June 14, 1840, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 

Richard Jones to Amanda Jerkins, Oct. 8, 1839, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Samuel Jones to Mary Woodard, Oct. 6, 1853, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 

Seaborn E. Jones to Susan F. Hall, Nov. 17, 1850, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Thomas Jones to Matilda Patterson, Dec. 23, 1838, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Wiley Jones to Eliza Pittman, July 10, 1823, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

William F. Jones to Elizabeth Slade, Nov. 7, 1858, by C. 0. Davis, 
J. P. 

William Jones to Canilla Goldin, Apr. 26, 1864, by A. Pennington, 
J. P. 

James Johnson to Margaret Rine, Mar., 1842, by Merrit Eth¬ 
ridge, J. I. C. 

Robert Jonson to Frances Honeycut, Sept. 8, 1845, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

Absolem Jordan to Lydia Davidson, Feb. 13, 1823, by Timothy 
Sears, J. P. 

T. J. Jordan to Clay Sallie, Feb. 11, 1863, by C. A. Moore, M. G. 

Dewly Jordan to Lydia French, Jan. 27, 1825, by Adam Jones, 
M. G. 

John Justice to Eady Oliver, Sept. 19, 1838, by Allen Cannon, J. P. 

Moses Justice to Lemel Legina Hinsal, Apr. 25, 1824, by James 
Rees, J. P. 

Robert Justice to Elizabeth Porter, Mar. 16, 1843, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

William Kelly to Susan Roberts, Mar. 27, 1842, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

John Kemp to Narcissa Collins, Nov. 18, 1840, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

James Kemp to Elizabeth Jones, Oct. 15, 1857, by M. M. Lord, 
J. P. 

Benjamin Kemp to Nancy Pickel, Feb. 6, 1839, by Joel Deese, J. P. 

Morgan Kemp to Elizabeth Bush,'Sept. 9, 1841, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Eldridge E. Kemp to Susannah J. Bush, Mar. 30, 1848, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

James Keipp to Frances Orison, Nov. 9, 1852, by L. G. Weeks, 
J. P. 

George M. Kemp to Macaronin Tucker, Jan. 23, 1823, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Coleman Keen to Parmelia Barlow, Feb. 25, 1853, by S. T. Player, 

J. P. 

Stephen Kent to Frances Putlaw, June 20, 1853, by James Wil¬ 
liams, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


331 


Lawrence Kitchens to Sarah McConnel, May 17, 1832, by Joel 
Rivers, J. P. 


John King to Mary Goddy, May 30, 1825, by Shadrack Adams, 

J. P. 

Bennet King to Mary E. Jones, Dec. 27, 1855, by W. W. Hughes, 

J. P. 

Howell King to Betty Ross, Oct. 9, 1823, by John King, J. P. 
Marshall King to Mariah Ecom, May 26, 1822, by James Low, 

J. P. 


John King to Elizabeth Valentine, Aug. 17, 1845, by William D. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Joseph Kinsey to Harriet Hatfield, Oct. 10, 1837, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

James Kinney to Elizabeth Murphy, Mar. 16, 1848, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Washington Kinney to Martha Scott, Apr. 13, 1856, by Edmund 
E. Ethridge, J. P. 

Elijah Kinney to Sarah Smith, Apr. 14, 1853, by J. B. Porter, 
M. G. 


James Kinney to Epsy I. Mackey, Aug. 10, 1851, by W. B. Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

John Kingery to Milly Lord, Dec. 24, 1831, by James Hatfield, 

J. P. 


Daniel Kingery to Sarah Skipper, May 12, 1853, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 

Abraham Kingery to Priscilla Trebble, Aug. 3, 1825, by James 
Williams, J. P. 

Johnson Kingery to Amanda Watkins, Feb. 17, 1851, by L. B. 
Porter, M. G. 

Samuel Kingery to Tabitha D. Hooks, July 1, 1852, by William 
M. Cooper, J. P. 

George Knaves to Charity Gunn, Aug. 9, 1834, by John Wheeler, 

J. P. 

James Knight to Elafair Knight, Apr. 1, 1855, by Wright Noles, 

J. P. 

Ezekiel Knight to Rebecca Tinney, Aug. 30, 1855, by Wright 
Knowles, J. P. 

William Knight to Elafair Parker, July 25, 1847, by Bryant 0’- 
Bannon, J. P. 

James M. Knight to Jane Butler, Apr. 20, 1853, by Eli Sears, J. P. 
John Knight to Sally Ellis, Apr. 10, 1823, by Newt Etheridge, J. 

I. C. 

George Knight to Mary Garrott, Nov. 15, 1845, by Joseph M. Lord, 

J. P. 

John W. Kern to Annie Ward, May 5, 1864, by William John Ham¬ 
ilton, Catholic Priest. 

A. J. Kingery to Martha E. Garrett, Sept. 27, 1860, by C. M. Lind¬ 
sey, M. G. 

C. C. Kingery to Qun V. Tribble, Mar. 9, 1860, by M. J. Thompson, 

J. P. 

W. A. Kirkland to Frances E. Bloodworth, Sept. 3, 1864, by W. T. 
Holland, J. P. 

Irwin Lambert to Elizabeth Brewer, Jan. 6, 1825, by John Mc- 
Anzie, M. G. 


332 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James Langford to Martha Pearse, Nov. 1, 1840, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

James M. Langford to Susannah Carr, Dec. 3, 1857, by C. 0. Davis, 
J. P. 

James Lasseter to Eliza Lasseter, Aug. 27, 1834, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Henry Lasseter to Penny Currey, Feb. 10, 1824, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. P. 

Tibisha Lasseter to Cely Currey, Jan. 22, 1826, by Shad. Adams, 
J. P. 

Anthony Lavender to Nancy Garrett, Dec. 27, 1846, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Daniel Lavender to Betsy Hoover, Apr. 15, 1838, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

John Lavender to Mary Hoover, Mar. 19,1843, by Charles S. Hays, 
M. G. 

John Lavender to Zilla Garrett, Nov. 29, 1846, by Joseph M. Lord, 
J. P. 

Hardy Lavender to Mary A. Vandever, Aug. 29, 1844, by C. Mc¬ 
Carty, M. G. 

Ferny Lavender to Lenzar Hardie, May 2, 1852, by James Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

—miul Lavender to Mary Hogan, Apr. 14, 1850, by James Branan, 
J. P. 

Sevin Lavender to Rebecca Wood, Jan. 31, 1837, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 


William Lavender to Artimissa Bales, Dec. 14, 1853, by W. Honey¬ 
cutt, J. P. 

James Lawson to Nancy Lawson, Jan. 29, 1835, by William Payne, 
J. P. 

David Lawson to Mary Roberts, Jan. 24,1833, by John Smith, J. P. 

David Lawson to Rebecca Rogers, Aug. 27, 1843, by William 
Mann, J. P. 

William Lawson to Tabytha Roberts, July 1, 1836, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

William Lawson to Sarah Rogers, Dec. 27, 1846, by S. J. Bush, 
J. P. 

Lionel Lee to Mary Davidson, Dec. 13, 1841, by A. W. Jordan, 
J. P. 

Peter Leathers to Saley Adams, Mar. 31, 1825, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Arcellus Leslie to Sarah Ann Downing, Mar. 9, 1846, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

George Leslie to Caroline Gainey, May 26, 1835, by James Lester, 

* J . P. 

Joel Leslie to Margaret Bloodworth, May 5, 1844, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

Silas Leslie to Suzannah Simpson, Dec. 24, 1835, by James Gib¬ 
son, J. p. 

Thomas Lester to Sabrina Batchelor, July 22, 1849, by James 
Branan, J. P. ’ * 

Evers^ q evington to Sarah Ann Butler > Jan. 25, 1848, by John 

Jacob Lerry to Fanny Jones, July 9, 1835, by John Smith, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


333 


John C. Leslie to Mary Cobb, Apr. 16, 1865, by W. F. Rogers, 

M. G. 

Benjamin Lewis to Sarah Finney, May 7, 1837, by Merrit Eth¬ 
eridge, J. I. C. 

James Lewis to Sarah Rivers, Sept. 1, 1836, by Adam Jones, M. G. 
John Lewis to Sarah Ann Ryals, Aug. 12, 1841, by Adam Jones,. 
M. G. 

John A. G. Lewis to Elizabeth E. Barnes, Aug. 30, 1853, by Allen 
Chambers, J. P. 

Nicholas Lewis to Patsy Cook, Jan. 27, 1835, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
Edmund Lindsey to Isabel Norwood, Feb. 27, 1821, by B. Whit¬ 
aker, J. P. 

James A. Lindsey to Sarah J. Branan, Jan. 8, 1857, by Joshua 
Shepherd, J. P. 

John Lindsey to Martha Moore, Jan. 26, 1843, by Samuel Beall,. 

J. I. C. 

Isaac Lindsey to Martha Moore, Sept. 12, 1836, by David Smith, 

M. G. 

William Linsey to Maty Norwood, July 11, 1820, by Isaac Hall, 

J. P. 

William Lindsey to Sarah Guley, Jan. 10, 1833, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Jesse Leslie to Sealy Cook, Dec. 7, 1820, by Philip Pittman, J. P. 
John C. Little to Amanda M. Glover, Jan. 9, 1851, by L. B. Porter, 

M. G. 

Joel I. Loften to Leah I. Cannon, July 29,1852, by James R. Billue, 

J. P. 

James Logan to Sarah Beall, Aug. 3, 1845, by Ellis Harville, M. G. 
William D. Logan to Janey Ann F. Waters, Apr. 26, 1857, by 
Joshua Shepherd, J. P. 

William Long to Mary C. Jones, Nov. 16, 1845, by Joseph M. Lord, 

J. P. 

William Long to Polly Ann McDaniel, Aug. 12, 1851, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

James Lord to Avelern Sanders, Dec. 23, 1832, by Jesse Peacock, 

M. G. 

James Lord to Malona Sanders, Oct. 28, 1840, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

Jesse Lord to Mary Phillips, Sept. 14, 1847, by Merrit Ethridge, 
J. I. C. 

Jesse Lord to Mary R. Vanlandingham, Mar. 28, 1849, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Jesse Lord to Anna Sofiah Vanlandingham, Apr. 18, 1850, by 
Benjamin Fordham, J. P. 

John Lord to Tabitha Wynn, Dec. 9, 1838, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
John Lord to Martha Pittman, Feb. 5, 1855, by Charles, J. I. C. 
John Lord to Mary Ann Smith, Oct. 6, 1848, by Willis Allen, J. P. 
Joseph M. Lord to Armanter Sanders, Jan. 9, 1830, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

John M. Lord to Theresa Wood, Jan. 24, 1858, by C. O. Davis, J. P. 
James N. Lord to Susan Grubs, Nov. 24, 1853, by James Granade, 
M. G. 

John W. Lord to Mary Billings, Jan. 14, 1847, by J. Bloodworth, 

J. P. 


334 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


George Lord to America Chambers, Oct. 21, 1841, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 

Mills Lord to Frances Howell, Dec. 9, 1838, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
Steven Lord to Elizabeth Ann John, Jan. 31, 1823, by Daniel M. 
Hall, J. P. 

Steven Lord to Jane Murcason, Dec. 21, 1848, by Joseph M. Lord, 
J. P. 

Steven J. Lord to Martha Clay, July 13, 1848, by Alex Tindol, 
M. G. 

William J. Lord to Amanda W. Pickle, Jan. 8, 1852, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

John Lowery to Lamanda Bales, Dec. 5, 1842, by D. Lowery, M. G. 
Zackens Lord to Mary Thompson, Mar. 24, 1824, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. P. 

Drewing Loyds to Martha Adams, June 11, 1840, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Jesse Maccy to Elizabeth Etheridge, Aug. 6, 1842, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

John C. Mackey to Dorcus Underwood, June 4, 1857, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Ellis Mahon to Polly Dismuke, Apr. 22, 1843, by Wiley Holland, 
J. P. 

William F. Mackey to Catherine Granade, July 14, 1859, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Daniel Majors to Eliza Johnson, Dec. 23, 1824, by Adams Jones, 
M. G. 

Thomas Majors to Emily McConnel, July 29, 1841, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

John Mallaprop to Sena Smith, Apr. 2, 1821, by B. Mitchell, J. P. 
John W. Manderson to Elizabeth Carr, July 23, 1836, by John 
Wheeler, J. P. 

Lewis B. Manderson to Sarah Jane Scott, Apr. 1, 1845, by J. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Lewis Manderson to Elivina Hogan, Nov. 2,1849, by John Wheeler, 
J. P. 

David Mann to Mary Ann McDonald, Apr. 4, 1824, by Timothy 
Sears, J. P. 

Young Mann to Mary Garrison, Oct. 27, 1824, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

Jesse J. Marshall to Catherine Shaw, June 11, 1823, by Daniel 
M. Hall, J. P. 

John Marshall to Elizabeth Chiles, July 14, 1822, by Peter Mc¬ 
Arthur, J. I. C. 

Almarine Marshall to Lucretia Delk, July 19, 1838, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Jesse Martin to Lydia Bullock, Nov. 27, 1835, by William Payne, 
J • P. 

m Richard Martin to Jane Nesmith, Aug. 27, 1854, by John Evers, 

E. I. Massey to G. A. Whitaker, Mar. 8, 1849, by John S. Stephens, 
J • I . 

Elijah Mathes to Sarah Ann Naples, Mar. 25, 1847, by William 
D. Bloodworth, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


335 


Joseph Martin to Matilda Jones, Sept. 18, 1860, by C. 0. Davis, 
J. P. 

Maurice J. Martin to Mary Shepherd, Jan. 25, 1860, by William 
R. Steely, M. G. 

Eli Mathis to Sarah Hickman, July 10, 1853, by Solomon Arnold, 

J. P. 

William D. Mathis to Savannah Passmore, Oct. 18, 1849, by W. 

B. Shepherd, J. P. 

William Mathis to Ann Elizabeth Daughmany, Sept. 28, 1848, 
by James R. Billue, J. 

John Mathews to Nancy Dicks, July 8, 1836, by James Leslie, J. P. 
John Mathews to Frances Mathews, May 16, 1851, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

Lewis Mathews to Nancy Ann Hayes, June 12, 1825, by George 
Shenholster, J. P. 

Levi Mathews to Sarah Ann Elizabeth Cobb, Oct. 30, 1845, by 
Daniel Brewer, J. P. 

William Mathews to Elizabeth Hall, Dec. 5, 1826, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 

Burrel Mays to Mary Reaves, June 5, 1825, by Shadrack Adams, 

J. P. 

Edwin Mayo to Louisa M. Hicks, Dec. 25, 1836, by James Hatcher, 

J. P. 

MoNova Mayo to Mary Sills, Sept. 19, 1820, by Merritt Ethridge, 

J. P. 

Barney McAdams to Margaret Lester, Jan. 18, 1855, by Charles 
Young, J. I. C. 

James McArthur to Jane Phillips, Aug. 14, 1825, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Alfred V. McCardal to Aurela F. Gray, Sept. 16, 1849, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

John McCarroll to Margaret Ethridge, July 19, 1825, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

James F. McBeth to Nancy Hannah Palmer, Sept. 24, 1858, by 

C. O. Davis, J. P. 

John McArthur to Winnafred Rivers, Nov. 28, 1850, by W. M. 
Cooper, M. G. 

John McCarty to Lucy Jonson, Feb. 20, 1842, by John Hughs, M. G. 
Russell McCarty to Mariah Ryals, Oct. 27, 1833, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Joel McClendon to Jane Stewart, July 20, 1824, by Richard Whit¬ 
aker, J. P. 

John McConnel to Elizabeth Tindal, Nov. 15, 1849, by James 
Branan, J. P. 

John E. McConnel to Nancy Brown, Aug. 24, 1856, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

Larkin S. McConnell to Winna Dykes, June 18, 1857, by William 
Pace, J. P. 

Daniel McCook to Martinssy Ballard, Aug. 1, 1839, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Richard R. McConnell to Lydeon Matilda Walters, Mar. 11, 1860, 
by James Pittman, J. P. 

James W. McCook to Elizabeth Hickmon, Dec. 26, 1850, by B. F. 
Ryle, J. P. 


336 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Othnil McCook to Winney Branan, Nov. 28, 1822, by John Mc¬ 
Kenzie, M. G. 

John McCracking to Frances Fann, Nov. 10, 1853, by A. Cham¬ 
bers, J. P. 

David McCullars to Elizabeth Jane Tipton, Oct. 1, 1850, by L. G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

George McCullars to Anny Pace, Sept. 20, 1820, by Ashburn 
Wiggins, J. I. C. 

Henry McCullars to Matilda Bullock, Jan. 11, 1844, by N. C. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Jackson McCullars to Mary Ann Walters, Nov. 11, 1849, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

John W. McCullars to Sarah Tipton, Oct. 15, 1848, by James 
C. Bowers, J. I. C. 

J. T. McCullars to Mary Ann Thompson, Oct. 6, 1860, by Joshua 
Shepherd, J. P. 

R. D. McCullars to R. Branan, Aug. 24, 1856, by Ellis Harville, 
M. G. 

Lewis McCullars to Susan Smith, Aug. 6, 1837, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 

William McDaniel to Elizabeth King, Dec. 24, 1837, by Starling 
Stuckey, J. P. 

William McDaniel to Elizabeth Stephens, July 1, 1860, by J. H. 
Jones, J. I. C. 

Moses M. McDaniel to Permelia Ann A. Padget, Mar. 19, 1851, by 
Willis Allen, J. P. 

John M. McDonald to Sarah Brown, Aug. 23, 1821, by Ashburn 
Wiggins, J. I. C. 

Hilliard McGowin to Civility Freeman, Dec. 4, 1845, by Joseph 
M. Lord, J. P. 

John McGowin to Harriet Brady, Aug. 15, 1841, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

Noah McGowin to Ester Ann Thompson, Feb. 18, 1855, by William 
Ussery, J. P. 

William McGowin to Mary E. Payne, Dec. 28, 1854, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

Hugh McCurvey to Mary Ann Ward, Dec. 30, 1857, by James 
Hasson. 

Jesse McKey to Rebecca Slade, Nov. 4, 1821, by John Hatcher, 
J. I. C. 

Ezekiel McMichael to Obedience Hatcher, May 22, 1822, by Rob¬ 
ert Clay, J. P. 

John McMullin to Mary Boyington, Aug. 10, 1843, by C. Mc¬ 
Carty, M. G. 

David M. C. McMurren to Mary Baskins, July 27, 1820, by A. 
Burney, J. P. 

David McMurrin to Sary Ann Wills, Sept. 11, 1831, by B. Euml. 

Thomas McMurren to Elasia Crumpton, Oct. 2, 1826, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Duncan McNeal to Mary Hardie, Oct. 13, 1842, by Jackson Foun¬ 
tain, J. P. 

John McNeal to Melvina Jane Brown, Jan. 5, 1848, by Bryant 
O’Brannon, J. P. J 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


337 


William Thomas McNeal to Lavender Arrina, Jan. 21, 1841, by 

L. Vandevour, M. G. 

Jenand McSwain to Janie Melvin, Oct. 20, 1831, by Joel Rivers, 

J. P. 

John McQuaig to Arra Beck, Jan. 5, 1840, by J. Bloodworth, J. P. 
F. M. Meadows to N. E. Jones, Sept. 11, 1860, by J. H. Steely, 

M. G. 

Hiram Meadows to Louisa Holder, Mar. 11, 1858, by Joshua Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

Hyram Meadows to Elinder Stephens, Nov. 20, 1831, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

James Meadows to Rachael Gainey, Dec. 27, 1838, by S. Vandiver, 

M. G. 

John W. Meadows to Sarah A. Jones, Dec. 31, 1854, by Charles 
Young, J. I. C. 

John W. Meadows to Mary Lucinday Carr, Sept. 11, 1860, by 
James Stevens, J. P. 

Joseph Meadows to Cuzzy Barbee, Oct. 7, 1824, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Joseph Meadows to Nancy Pilgrim, Jan. 1,1838, by Anthony Seals, 

J. P. 

William Meadows to Sally Swiney, Dec. 4, 1822, by Isaac Hall, 

J. P. 

David Measles to Elizabeth Yurner, Jan. 11, 1824, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Mark Measles to Mahaly Lee, Sept. 16, 1832, by Charles Young, 

J. P. 

Joel E. Mercer to Sarah Ann McCook, Oct. 5, 1856, by W. W. 
Hughs, J. P. 

William Merchant to Delina Cherry, Mar. 25, 1824, by M. Eth¬ 
eridge, J. P. 

Madison Meeks to Isabella Kirkpatrick, Mar. 21, 1865, by N. Wil¬ 
liam Tharpe, J. P. 

William Meeks to Lydia M. Starley, Mar. 23, 1865, by A. Pen¬ 
nington, J. P. 

Dennis Mercer to Mrs. Sarah A. Ward, Aug. 25, 1864, by William 
Griffin, M. G. 

William K. Methvin to Julia Chambers, May 1, 1862, by James 
T. Ainsworth, M. G. 

Charles Meredith to Eliza Smith, Jan. 7, 1845, by Bryant O’Ban- 
non, J. P. 

John Meredith to Sophiah Atkinson, Dec. 28, 1832, by Theo. T. 
Prestwood, J. I. C. 

Samuel Meredith to Elizabeth Burke, Feb. 8, 1838, by A. W. 
Jordan, J. P. 

Samuel Meredith to Elizabeth Carr, Feb. 28, 1847, by Eli Sears, 

J. P. 

Wiley Meredith to Martha Boon, Apr. 4, 1831, by Jesse Brown, 

J. P. 

Wiley Meredith to Eliza Vaughn, Dec. 20, 1832, by Jesse Brown, 

J. P. 

Wyatt Meredith to Mary Perkins, Dec. 24, 1835, by David Smith, 

M. G. 


338 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Samuel M. Nesmith to Celia Freeman, Jan. 28, 1847, by Joseph 
M. Lord, J. P. 

Charles E. Nesmith to Martha Lavender, Nov. 25, 1852, by L. G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

William Nesmith to Nancy Martin, Jan. 4, 1855, by James R. 
Billue, J. P. 

Garrott Nesmith to Ama Ann Skipper, Aug. 20, 1848, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

John Napper to Kitty Spears, Aug. 21, 1823, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

Drewry Nipper to Rosy Spears, May 3, 1825, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

James Mixon to Martha I. Walker, Mar. 2, 1852, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

Calvin J. Nixon to Martha J. Hardie, May 14, 1850, by B. F. Ryles, 
J. P. 

John Nichols to Rachael Witt, Feb. 14, 1847, by William D. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

James Norton to Caroline Rogers, July 4, 1841, by William Gar¬ 
rott, J. P. 

William Noles to Nancy Meredith, Dec. 16, 1833, by James R. 
Billue, J. P. 

John Norwood to Mary Thompson, Dec. 5, 1840, by William Ross, 
J. P. 


Thomas Norwood to Nancy Griffith, Aug. 15, 1857, by James 
Mooning, J. P. 

Sachariah Noles to Elizabeth Tinney, Dec. 2, 1834, by William R. 
Lord, J. P. 


Robert Noles to Susan Bails, June 6, 1841, by Wiley Holland, J. P. 
Wright Noles to Sarah Pearson, Dec. 22, 1829, by Wiley Holland, 
J. P. 

John Noles to Nancy Etheridge, Apr. 7, 1850, by Wright Noles, 
J. P. 


Zachariah Noles to Isabella Reed, Sept., 1845, by S. J. Bush, J. P. 
John Nalus Polly Fountain, Jan. 31, 1821, by Levi Peacock, M. G. 
William Oats to Polly Oats, Mar. 6, 1825, by James Gibson, J. P. 
William F. O’Bannon to Elizabeth Tatam, Jan. 12, 1841, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

William O’Bannon to Mary E. Hall, by James Hatcher, Dec. 15, 


Mills Odum to Mary Majors, June 9, 1825, by Bryant Collins, J. P. 
Marshall Odum to Matilda Murphy, Oct. 11, 1858, by B. B. Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

William A. Ogburn to Nancv I. Pierce, Oct. 29, 1857, bv J. I. 
Loften, J. P. ’ * 

M Jacob Ogburn to Mariah Philips, Jan. 19, 1833, by Jesse Peacock, 

Etheland Ogburn to Argent Cannon, June 30, 1830, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

John Omans to Rebecca Howard, Nov. 25, 1833, by William Ross, 

J . r. 

Bently Outlaw to Mary Ann Skipper, Oct. 3, 1835, by Henry 
Chambers, J. I. C. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


339 


Bently Outlaw to E. Sheffield, Sept. 28, 1865, by Daniel Burke, 
J. I. C. 

William Oxley to Jane Moore, Mar. 24, 1864, by James R. Billue, 
J. P. 

Hiram Pace to Harretter Hatcher, Sept. 22, 1850, by Wright 
Noles, J. P. 

Jesse Parker to Frances Parker, Aug. 2, 1838, by Bryant O’Ban- 
non, J. P. 

John C. Parker to Elizabeth Ward, Nov. 11, 1846, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

John T. Parker to Senai Stevens, Dec. 11, 1856, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Larkin Parker to Alzada Branan, Nov. 12, 1848, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Robert N. Parker to Sarah John, May 13, 1852, by Daniel Mc¬ 
Cook, J. P. 

William R. Parker to Saphona Carr, Dec. 16, 1855, by Green B. 
Hughs, M. G. 

Alexander Passmore to Sophia Arnold, Jan. 21, 1836, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Alexander Passmore to Martha Robinson, Dec. 1, 1842, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

John Passmore to Mary Taturn, Oct. 10, 1832, by James Hatcher, 

J. P. 

John Passmore to Elizabeth Myars, Sept. 24, 1843, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

Stephen Passmore to Elizar Cook, Apr. 23, 1838, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

John C. Pattishall to Cinthy Valentine, Mar. 9, 1823, by Thomas 
McGinty, J. I. C. 

Alexander Patterson to Matilda Ross, Oct. 9, 1821, by John M. 
Bingus, J. P. 

James Patterson to Ellen Golden, June 4, 1828, by John F. Sim¬ 
mons, J. I. C. 

John R. Patterson to Susanna Meadows, Jan. 26, 1823, by John 
Hardie, J. I. C. 

John Patterson to Mary Cross, Sept. 20, 1827, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Samuel L. Patterson to Polly Ridggill, Feb. 6, 1825, by J. S. Ross, 
J. P. 

S. L. Patterson to Nancy J. McCook, Sept. 7, 1865, by W. F. 
Rogers, M. G. 

James Paul to Winifred Frazar, Sept. 2, 1838, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Micajah Paulk to Kissiah Harville, Mar. 19, 1823, by Isaac Hall, 
J. P. 

Urias Paulk to Isabell Hughs, Apr. 10, 1825, by John M. Burgin, 
J. P. 

George W. Payne to V. I. Cannon, Nov. 10, 1857, by J. I. Loften, 
J. P. 

James Payne to Ella G. Murkinson, Mar. 24, 1859, by Jas. R. Bil¬ 
lue, J. P. 

Philip Payne to Martha J. Holliman, Mar. 3, 1857, by Nelson 
Stuckey, J. P. 


340 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Ransom Payne to Marion Outlaw, Jan. 13, 1856, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

William Payne to Lydia Faulk, Aug. 18, 1857, by Nelson Stuckey, 
J. P. 


Samuel Peace to Arg Beall, Dec. 3, 1831, by Shad. Adams, J. P. 

Jesse W. A. Peacock to Eliza A. Breedlove, Sept. 29, 1850, by 
Samuel Beall, J. I. C. 

John M. Peacock to Elsy M. Young, Sept. 17, 1846, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Joseph Peacock to Catherine Meredith, Apr. 15, 1832, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

Pearson Peacock to Margaret Ann McRaney, Nov. 29, 1838, by 
William Stephens, J. P. 

Sherrod Peacock to Elizabeth McDonald, Sept. 16, 1835, by Sam¬ 
uel Beall, J. I. C. 

James Pearse to Pheba Ann Cannon, Nov. 7, 1849, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Jesse Pearse to Elizabeth Campbell, Oct. 10, 1839, by Wiley Holder, 
J. P. 

John Pearse to Susan Nobles, Aug. 6, 1840, by A. W. Jordan, J. P. 

John S. Pearse to Heatha Ethridge, Mar. 28, 1854, by W. B. Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

Lavard Pearse to Ann J. Parker, Dec. 29, 1841, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Needham Pearse to Rachael Norwood, Mar. 25, 1841, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Seaborn Pearse to Celia Dean, Jan. 14, 1841, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

William W. Pearse to Margain Honeycutt, Sept. 19, 1852, by W. 
B. Shepherd, J. P. 

Jonathon C. Pearson to Lucinda Etheridge, Nov. 6, 1845, by 
Bryant, O’Bannon, J. P. 

Wiley Pearson to Mary Pearse, Aug. 24, 1837, by Wiley Holland, 


Wiley Pearson to Nancy Noles, Jan. 
J. P. 


12, 1853, by Wright Noles, 


James Penderson to Martha Smith, Dec. 3, 1827, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

D. Augustus Pennington to Catherine A. Bloodworth, Dec. 12, 
1850, by J. Bloodworth. 

David Pennington to Nancy Shepherd, Oct. 30, 1856, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Thomas W. Pennington to Sarah E. Underwood, Aug. 2, 1852, by 
J. Temples, J. P. 

Thomas W. Pennington to Easter M. Garrett, Aug. 30, 1857, by 
Henry Messer, M. G. 

Chisley Pervis to Lydia Bright, Feb. 30, 1824, by I. Hall, J. P. 

Robert Peters to Polly Criswell, Dec. 15, 1844, by J. Bloodworth, 
J . I. 

William Pettis to Margaret Rossals, Feb. 15, 1844, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

William Pen to Parneter Pricket, Dec. 13, 1838, by William Ross, 
J • 1, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


341 


Martin G. Philips to Mary Boals, Feb. 18, 1827, by George Shen- 
holster, J. P. 

Thomas Philips to Polly Clemens, July 8, 1825, by Jesse Pittman, 

J. P. 

Wiley Philips to Sarah Burke, Mar. 28, 1839, by A. W. Jordan, 

J. P. 

Henry Pickle to Sarah Goodman, June 18, 1843, by John B. Isler, 

J. P. 

John Pickle to Francis Oxley, Apr. 4, 1862, by Jesse J. Green, J. P. 
Micajah Pickle to Mary Goodman, Feb. 6, 1840, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 

William Pickerin to Lucy Freeman, Mar. 17, 1836, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

William Pierce to Elizabeth Smith, Dec. 18, 1836, by James H. 
Lafter, J. P. 

Wingfield S. Pierce to Marietta Ethridge, Mar. 11, 1855, by E. E. 
Etheridge, J. P. 

E. C. Pierce to Leah Scarborough, Feb. 27, 1860, by 0. H. P. 
Rawls, J. I. C. 

Benjamin F. Pittman to Nancy Spears, Oct. 11, 1855, by Green 
B. Hughs, M. G. 

Daniel Pittman to Martha Eady, Apr. 5, 1836, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Daniel P. Pittman to Nancy M Moore, Jan. 9, 1851, by W. M. 
Cooper, M. G. 

Noel Pittman to Lucy Delk, Aug. 25, 1832, by Shad. Adams, J. P. 
Samuel Pittman to Mary Eady, Nov. 8, 1832, by Shadrack Adams, 

J. P. 

Wiley M. Pittman to Martha McCook, Oct. 25, 1849, by James 
Branan, J. P. 

Abraham Pitts to Susan Allen, Sept. 27, 1854, by J. N. Miller, 

M. G. 


Samuel Player to Nancy Ann Freeman, Dec. 15, 1843, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

Ambrose Porter to Emily Summerford, Mar. 16, 1845, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Benjamin Porter to Mary Canida, Jan. 26, 1826, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, C. C. 0. 

Joseph Porter to Mary Powell, Nov. 4,18-8, by A. W. Jordan, J. P. 
Lynch Porter to Elizabeth Paul, Dec. 17, 1838, by William Ross, 


J. P. 

Richard Porter to Winney Davidson, Dec. 9, 1829, by John Smith, 


J. P. 

Richard Porter to Lavina Davidson, Dec. 27, 1837, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

Richard Porter to Sarah Hogan, Oct. 27, 1844, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Thomas Porter to Lucinda Rye, Jan. 16, 1845, by John Evers, M. G. 
Newman Pound to Martha C. Murphy, Oct. 26, 1831, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

Chartes Powell to Elizabeth Hughs, Feb. 6, 1824, by Timothy 
Sc^rs J P 

John M. Powell to Lucinda H. Pace, June 12, 1850, by William 


M. Cooper, M. G. 


312 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Larkin Powell to Malinda C. Jones, May 6, 1839, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. 

Edward Powell to Margurett Jones, Oct. 9, 1825, by George Shin- 
holster, J. P. 

Briton Price to Mary Abb Thompson, July 1, 1835, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. 

Cader Price to Nancy Colly, May 16, 1822, by Henry Bohannon, 
J. P. 

Jesse Procter to Sarah Doke, Jan. 1, 1854, by L. Fleetwood, J. I. C. 

William H. Price to Mary A. M. Hartley, Sept. 13, 1860, by M. J. 
Thompson, J. P. 

E. J. Pruitt to Martha Johnson, Apr. 2, 1865, by William Griffin- 
M. G. 

James F. Pruit to M. E. Cook, Apr. 4, 1865, by William Griffin, 
M. G. 

James G. Radford to Prudence E. Pitts, Sept. 2, 1852, by Daniel 
McCook, J. P. 

James G. Radford to Mary J. Summers, Jan. 7, 1864, by A. Pen¬ 
nington, J. P. 

Rinchin Radford to Mary Miller, Jan. 15, 1835, by John Hughs, M. 
G. 

John Rains to Haneth Christwell, Feb. 5, 1837, by J. Bloodworth, 
J. P. 


John Rains to Sarah Johnson, Mar. 4, 1864, by Ellis Harville, 
M. G. 


John R. Rains to Allice R. Miller, May 13, 1851, by Daniel Mc¬ 
Cook, J. P. 

John R. Rains to Frances E. Starly, Jan. 3, 1865, by William 
D. Bloodworth, J. P. 


Brice Ragan to Sivia Barfield, June 24, 
J. P. 


1825, by John M. Bingus, 


Philip Ragan to Catherine Polk, Aug. 31, 1825, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. P. 

Joseph Ramage to Violet Wynn, Sept. 6, 1846, by James Pittman, 
J. P. 


Alexander Rawls to Mary D. Dupree, Nov. 16, 1845, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

M C q P Rawls to Martha Fordham, Nov. 22, 1846, by John Dupree, 

Flucher Reed to Frances Ann Hatfield, Jan. 28, 1836, by Joseph 
Peacock, M. G. 

G * H- c - Reed to Mary M. Philips, Feb. 12, 1863, by E. J. Coats, 
M. G. 

Thomas Reed to Cintha Railey, Dec. 28, 1851, by Joseph Murphy, 
J • r. 


Goalson Reed to Martha Matilda 
uel Beall, J. I. C. 


Shepherd, Aug. 31, 1848, by Sam- 


j Augustus Reese to Sarah Pickle, Oct. 4, 1850, by Mills M. Lord, 


Fredwick Reese to Charlotte Wise, Jan. 1, 1842, by William Gar- 
rott, J • Jr. 

M Goalson Price to Rachel McCarty, Feb. 3, 1842, by Jesse Peacock, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


343 


Love Register to Martha Vann, June 4, 1845, by David Smith, 
M. G. 

Elisha Price to Melissa Paulk, Dec. 9, 1831, by Shad. Adams, J. P. 
Hardy Richardson to Winney Smith, May 8, 1823, by James Low, 

J. P. 

Samuel Ridgill to Rebecca Coop, Dec. 30, 1824, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

David Ridley to Della Stinson, Aug. 10, 1824, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

Everett Ridley to Demurris Hardin, Dec. 8, 1836, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Jonathan Ridley to Mary Hancock, Nov. 10, 1825, by Wiley Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

Robert Ridley to Mary Jane Manning, Dec. 6, 1838, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

Robert Ridley to Rachel Leslie, Dec. 28,1845, by William D. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

William Ridley to Nancy Holley, Dec. 31, 1835, by William Ross, 

J. P. 

James I. Rigby to Harriet N. Freeman, Nov. 14, 1849, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

Joel Rivers to Polly Pearson, Sept. 27, 1821, by Wiley Shepherd, 

J. P. 

Jonathan Rivers to Catherine N. Gainey, Sept. 13, 1849, by James 
W. Branan, J. P. 

John Rivers to Mary Smallwood, Feb. 12, 1834, by Adam Jones, 

M. G. 

Richard L. Rivers to Gracy Bragg, Sept. 14, 1852, by L. B. Porter, 
M. G. 

Bryant Roberts to Elizabeth Davidson, June 1, 1845, by Eli 
Sears, J. P. 

David Roberts to Helen McRaney, Oct. 11, 1849, by James D. 
Adams. 

James Roberts to Nancy Glover, Apr. 21, 1851, by Eli Sears, J. P. 
William F. Roberts to Mary C. Tarpley, May 30, 1846, by C. 0. 
Moore, M. G. 

Nathaniel D. Robertson to Martha Jenkins, Jan. 27, 1853, by Sam¬ 
uel Beall, J. I. C. 

Allen Robinson to Polly Oliff, Jan. 17, 1822, by John King, J. P. 
David Robinson to Winifred Goodman, Feb. 29, 1832, by John 
Freeman, J. P. 

James Robinson to Mrs. Elifair Rooks, Mar. 20, 1846, by R. F. 
Rozar, J. P. 

John A. Robinson to Epsy Deese, June 6, 1841, by William Gar- 
rott, J. P. 

Luellin M. Robinson to Martha Tarpley, Apr. 3, 1835, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

Allan Rodgers to Elizabeth Jackson, Aug. 1,1851, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

William Rodgers to Sarah Thomas, Dec. 7, 1855, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Dixon Rogers to Rose Ann Rye, Dec. 3,1843, by N. C. Hughs, J. P. 
Edward Ryles to Tempy Tice, May 11, 1826, by Thomas T. Prest- 
wood, J. P. 


344 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


William Rogers to Nancy Williams, July 29, 1855, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

William Rolls to Frances Dancy, Mar. 15, 1821, by A. B. Lucas, 
J. I. C. 

Peter Rooch to Mary Luster, Jan. 12, 1849, by James Branan, J. P. 

Century Ross to Elvina Ann Upton, Mar. 15, 1826, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

John Ross to Charity Mitchell, Mar. 21, 1822, by Charles Culpep¬ 
per, M. G. 

John Ross to Nancy Wright, Jan. 20,1848, by Henry Messer, M. G. 

William Ross to Pensy Willace, Feb. 3, 1825, by James Ross, J. P. 

William Ross to Sarah Bishop, Dec. 21, 1843, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Dexter Rozer to Mary Pearson, Jan. 2, 1843, by William Bellann, 
J. P. 

Robert Rozier to Mary Frazier, Oct. 21, 1830, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Jesse Rustin to Soriphton Bloodworth, Mar. 3, 1847, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Elbert Rutherford to Susan J. Collins, Mar. 24, 1859, by G. B. 
Hughes, M. G. 

Franklin Rutherford to Priscilla Collins, Feb. 18, 1851, by Eli 
Sears, J. P. 

James Rutherford to Lydia Rogers, Jan. 22,1846, by N. C. Hughs, 
J. P. 

Samuel Rutherford to Elizabeth Bullock, Apr. 26, 1842, by John 
Evers, M. G. 

John Rutland to Laudista Hays, July 22, 1851, by John Breed¬ 
love, J. P. 

Jackson Ryles to Mil-bra Cannon, Apr. 15, 1838, by James Leslie, 


William Ryles to Elizabeth Culpepper, Aug. 23, 1826, by Bryan 
Collins, J. P. 

Jonathan Rye to Saphrony Martin, Sept. 12, 1832, by William 
Payne, J. P. 

John F. Ryles to Elizabeth Chapman, Jan. 22, 1851, by William 
Fitzpatrick, J. P. 


Marion Ryle to Margaret Lisle, Apr. 6, 1865, by W. F. Rogers, 
M. G. 


William B. Ryle to Matilda Brewer, Jan. 26, 1841, by James Les¬ 
lie, J. P. 

William Ryle to Ameba Kingery, Dec. 30, 1856, by Solomon Ar- 
nald, J. P. 

John M. Salter to Elifair J. Cook, Apr. 12, 1854, by Allen Cham¬ 
bers, J. P. 

West Salter to Annie Newberry, Feb. 6, 18;23, by Thomas Mc- 
Ginty, J. I. C. 

Arthur Sanders to Sarah Fountain, Jan. 1, 1842, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Claborn Sanders to Nancy Holder, Nov. 4, 1832, by Elijah Ham¬ 
mock. 


Daniel Sanders to Sibby Leslie, Dec. 9, 1833, by James Gibson, 

J • I , 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


345 


Daniel Sanders to Elinder Horn, Oct. 30, 1836, by Joel Deese, J. P. 
Green Sanders to Margaret Wynne, July 4, 1847, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Jefferson Sanders to Mary Williams, Feb. 2, 1836, by James Gib¬ 
son, J. P. 

Jesse Sanders to Appa Stevens, Aug. 3, 1834, by William R. Lord, 

J. P. 

Jesse Sanders to Mahala Vaughn, July 7, 1840, by Thomas F. 
Prestwood, J. P. 

Jesse A. Sanders to Clarissa Vanlandingham, Jan. 8, 1846, by 
Jesse Peacock, M. G. 

James L. Sanders to Elizabeth Holder, Feb. 11, 1851, by Henry 
Messer, M. G. 

John Sanders to Mary Cox, Dec. 27, 1833, by Ellis Harville, M. G. 
John Sanders to Nancy Leslie, May 31, 1846, by William Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

John Sanders to Frances Wheeler, Feb. 21, 1858, by Solomon 
Arnald. 

King Sanders to Bethany Leslie, Mar. 25, 1841, by Jackson Foun¬ 
tain, J. P. 

Roland I. Sanders to Savel Cross, July 17, 1856, by W. W. 
Hughes, J. P. 

Samuel Sandford to Jean Manderson, May 5, 1825, by George 
Shinholster, J. P. 

William R. Sanders to Rebecca Ann Kingery, Nov. 13, 1846, by 
William Garrott, J. P. 

Olson Sanders to Elizabeth Stephenson, Aug. 4, 1841, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

George Sarcy to Elizabeth Jones, Nov. 5, 1841, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

John Savage to Sarah Kitchens, Feb. 23, 1846, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

William Sawer to Charity Dupriest, May 17, 1846, by N. C. 
Hughs, J. P. 

John W. Scott to Martha I. Shenholster, Sept. 2, 1852, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

Anthony Seals to Winny Jones, Feb. 11, 1827, by Joel Rivers, J. P. 
Eli Sears to Winny Davidson, Jan. 3, 1843, by A. W. Jordan, J. P. 
William I. Sears to Tabitha Bryant, Aug. 20, 1835, by John 
Smith, J. P. 

Alexander Shaw to Eliza Welch, Jan. 2, 1820, by Joseph Pittman, 

J. P. 

Wright Sheffield to Elizabeth A. Dixon, Sept. 9, 1851, by James 
R. Billue, J. P. 

Berry Shepherd to Mahony Hatcher, Sept. 8, 1839, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

Eli H. Shepherd to M. D. Murphy, Apr. 14, 1853, by B. B. Shep¬ 
herd, M. G. 

Jacob Shepherd to Charity Johnson, Dec. 12, 1822, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

Jacob C. Shepherd to Minerva Nesbit, May 23, 1858, by M. J. 
Thompson. 


346 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Jeruselem Shepherd to Lucinda Thomas, Jan. 7, 1836, by William 
R. Lord, J. P. 

John 1. Shepherd to Tabitha J. Gainey, Sept. 11, 1851, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

Miles R. Shepherd to Milley C. C. McConnel, Apr. 6, 1851, by 
James Branan, J. P. 

Nathaniel Shepherd to Nancy Adams, Dec. 1, 1825, by Shadrack 
Adams, J. P. 

Nathaniel Shepherd to Matilda Barber, Jan. 12, 1837, by Lurkin 

Vandiver, M. G. 

Wiley Shepherd to Rebecca Maccy, Nov. 12, 1840, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

William I. Shepherd to Martha J. Bloodworth, Nov. 22, 1855, by 
B. B. Shepherd, M. G. 

William R. Shepherd to Nancy W. Helton, Jan. 22, 1852, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

William Shepherd to Sarah Tiner, Aug. 15, 1820, by Thomas 
Sherrer, J. P. 

George W. Shenholster to Sarah Ann Hatcher, Sept. 3, 1846, by 
Wiley Holland, J. P. 

Seaborn Shenholster to Charity Parish, Mar. 23, 1845, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 

Alexander Shores to Sarah Ann Matthews, Aug. 24, 1843, by 
Daniel Brewer, J. P. 

Henry Shores to Charlotte Taylor, Dec. 25, 1820, by Adam Jones, 
J. P. 

James Shores to Bytha Macca, May 23, 1841, by Wiley Holland, 
J. P. 

Edward Sills to Lydia Williamson, July 8, 1824, by George Shen¬ 
holster, J. P. 

Edward Simpson to Nicy Faircloth, July 12, 1838, by Solomon 
Arnald, J. I. C. 

James Simpson to Darkis Ridley, Aug. 12, 1847, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

James Simpson to Louizer P. Shepherd, Nov. 9, 1852, by Isaac 
Lindsey, J. P. 

Jesse Simpson to Della Stevenson, Aug. 17, 1838, by Anthony 
Seals, J. P. 

William Slappey to Martha Hatfield, Feb. 7, 1838, by John 
Hughs, M. G. 

William Smallwood to Nancy Young, Feb. 23, 1826, by James 
Leslie, J. P. 

William Smallwood to Ann Christine, June 27, 1855, by Solomon 
Arnold, J. P. 

Amos Smith to Elizabeth Godwin, Jan. 1, 1824, by Jesse Pittman, 
J. Jr. 

Archibald Smith to Elizabeth Lewis, Aug. 2, 1832, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. * 

Snfith^J 0 ?^ Smith t0 Nancy Butler > Dec - 27 > 1843, by Robert 
Hili aV J id p Smith t0 Emanda Jackson > Oct. 10, 1847, by William A. 

David Smith to Lydia Pearce, Mar. 19, 1850, by Willis Allen, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


347 


Griffin Smith to Betsy Ann Ellis, Apr. 13,1834, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Isaac Smith to Eady Stephens, May 19, 1855, by S. Adams, J. P. 
James Smith to Polly Butler, Jan. 3, 1822, by B. Mitchell, J. P. 
James Smith to Barshaba Williams, Nov. 10,1823, by James Low, 

J. P. 

James Smith to Susan Smith, Sept. 24, 1840, by A. W. Jordan, 
J- P- 

James Smith to Nancy Ellis, Jan. 12, 1845, by John Evers, M. G. 
James Smith to Sarah Ann Evers, Feb. 1, 1857, by John W. 
Breedlove, J. P. 

John Smith to Eliza Chewing, Oct. 18, 1835, by David Smith, J. P. 
John G. Smith to Malinda Underwood, June 4, 1835, by James 
Gibson, J. P. 

John A. Smith to Nancy Lewis, June 12, 1848, by Willis Allen, 

J. P. 

Larkin Smith to Sarah Ann Hicks, Jan. 18, 1844, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

Lawrence Smith to Jemima Deason, Aug. 20, 1840, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Lewis Smith to Elizabeth Hancock, May 19, 1825, by John Han¬ 
cock, J. P. 

Miles Smith to Rebecca Copelan, Nov. 19, 1820, by Jesse Pittman, 

J. P. 

Rena H. Smith to Nancy Ross, Sept. 7, 1843, by John Evers, M. G. 
Richard S. Smith to Catherine Branan, Feb. 22, 1855, by Charles 
Young, J. I. C. 

Samuel Smith to Nancy Lasseter, July 21, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

Simon H. Smith to Emily Justice, Aug. 20, 1846, by Robert Smith, 

J. P. 

Thomas Smith to Patsy Beall, Sept. 19, 1823, by John M. King, 
M. G. 

Thomas Smith to Margaret Godwin, Feb. 12, 1824, by Jesse Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Thomas Smith to Fatima McCullars, Feb. 14, 1833, by Shad. 
Adams, J. P. 

Thomas P. Smith to Elizabeth Stevens, Nov. 17, 1852, by Luck G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

Thomas Smith to Martha D. King, June 1, 1854, by Solomon Ar- 
nald, J. P. 

Thomas Smith to Sarah Shepherd, June 4, 1856, by Solomon Ar- 
nald, J. P. 

Wiley Smith to Nancy Cobb, Jan. 4, 1826, by James Gibson, J. P. 
William Smith to Sally Kemp, Feb. 7, 1822, by James Low, J. P. 
William Smith to Bethana Beall, Jan. 17, 1835, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

William J. Smith to Martha Ann Jones, Aug. 28, 1839, by A. W. 
Jordan, J. P. 

William Smith to Nancy Deason, Aug. 6, 1840, by Samuel Beall, 
J. I. C. 

William I. Smith to Leweaser Passmore, July 9, 1848, by Wiley 
Holland, J. P. 


348 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James Snow to Mary McCook, Sept. 9, 1846, by Joseph N. Miller, 
J. P. 

Richard Snow to Mary Ann Hatcher, Feb. 14, 1847, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Allen Spears to Sarah Ridley, Aug. 2, 1836, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Daniel Spears to Rebecca Willis, Dec. 29, 1831, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

John Spears to Mary E. Carroll, Dec. 23, 1847, by R. A. Waters, 
J. P. 

John Spence to Jenny Doke, May 4, 1832, by George Shenholster, 
J. P. 

William W. Spivey to Elizabeth Stephens, Sept. 2, 1822, by John 
King, J. P. ' 

James Spurlock to Catherine Woodall, Nov. 16, 1824, by Benja¬ 
min Gordon, M. G. 

John J. Stanton to Ghana Freeman, Sept. 28, 1820, by Levi Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

Jackson Stapleton to Elizabeth Gunn, Jan. 13, 1834, by James 
Hatcher, J. P. 

Willis Stapleton to Elizabeth Cato, Feb. 17, 1835, by Thomas 
Spence, J. P. 

Duncan Steely to Margaret Myres, Oct. 23, 1851, by James Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

John Steely to Sarah Ann Wright, Aug. 5, 1841, by Wiley Hol¬ 
land, J. P. 

Isaac Stephens to Rachel Holder, Jan. 18, 1844, by C. McCarty, 
M. G. 

Isaac Stephens to Eliza Stubbs, Sept. 7, 1845, by William R. 
Steely, M. G. 

James Stephens to Eliza Mackey, Oct. 15, 1835, by John Hearn- 
don, J. P. 

John Stephens to Elizabeth Deese, May 6, 1843, by Henry Davis, 
J. P. 


John W. Stephens to Mary Meadows, Aug. 1, 1852, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

John Stephenson to Cassy Kinmon, Sept. 24, 1846, by Cary Cox, 
J. I. C. 

Abraham Stevens to Mary Aycock, Nov. 11, 1826, by Cary Cox, 
J. I. C. 


Bartley Stevens to Dicy Chandler, July 4, 1849, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. ' 


Edmund Stevens to Brunetter Hatfield, Nov. 10, 1838, by John 
Jones, M. G. 

James Stevens to Jurisha Barnes, Jan. 19, 1840, by William Gar- 
rott, J. P. 

James Stevens to Elizabeth Ann Lester, Sept. 11, 1848, by James 
Branan, J. P. 

John Stevens to Harriet Walters, Dec. 14, 1854, by Charles 
Young, J. I. C. 

Josiah Stevens to Sarah Ann Adams, Jan. 14, 1832, by Charles 
Young, J. P. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


349' 


Joseph Stevens to Martha Lester, Jan. 11, 1855, by W. Honey- 
cut, J. P. 

Joshua Stevens to Rebecca Pierce, July 8, 1821, by Anson Ball, 
J. I. C. 

Wiley Stevens to Mary Stevens, July 8, 1837, by Thomas Moon,. 

J. P. 

William Stevens to Mrs. Sarah Nesbitt, Mar. 9, 1832, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Charles Stewart to Elizabeth Baggs, Jan. 4, 1821, by Philip Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

Gideon Stewart to Nancy Montgomery, Jan. 26, 1823, by James 
Low, J. P. 

Warren Stokes to Lucy Kemp, Feb. 28, 1828, by Joseph Pittman, 

J. P. 

Alexander Stuckey to Eliza Ann Elizabeth Porter, Sept. 15, 1824, 
by John Evers, M. G. 

Allison Stuckey to Mary Thomas, Apr. 20, 1854, by E. Ridley, 

J. P. 

Daniel Stuckey to Caroline Rogers, May 28, 1854, by E. Ridley, 

J. P. 

Jackson Stuckey to Sarah Dean, Nov. 23, 1838, by Jesse Peacock, 

M. G. 

John Stuckey to Martha Taylor, Sept. 18, 1824, by Isaac Hall, 

J. P. 

Simon Stuckey to Mahala Butler, Sept. 15, 1848, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Starling Stuckey to Lacy Ann Norwood, Apr. 20, 1848, by Wil¬ 
liam A. Hall, J. P. 

William A. Stuckey to Nancy Thomas, May 20, 1858, by W. A. 
Hall, J. I. C. 

Hukel L. C. Stutz to Nancy Harville— 

William Summerford to Elizabeth Hooks, Feb. 9, 1840, by Wil¬ 
liam Ross, J. P. 

Moses Sutton to Eliza Webb, Jan. 12, 1827, by James Ross, J. P. 
Rodie Johnson to Polly Chambers, Apr. 4, 1824, by James Wil¬ 
liams, J. P. 

Stephen Sutton, - June 20, 1824, by Joseph Pittman, J. P. 

Stephen Sutton to Jane Chandler, Dec. 23, 1840, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. 

Rias Swails to Martha Davis, Feb. 22, 1852, by Daniel McCook, 

J. P. 

Hyram Swiney to Mary Hall, Aug. 29, 1822, by James Low, J. P. 
David C. Taylor to Dorcas Holder, May 12, 1853, by I. L. Rustin, 

J. P. 

James Taylor to Matilda Hooks, Oct. 18, 1838, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

James Taylor to Ann McMurry, Nov. 10, 1840, by James Leslie, 

J. P. 

Joseph Taylor to Peggy Cooper, Jan. 28, 1821, by Amos Barnes, 

J. P. 

Limuel Taylor to Mary Pickle, Jan. 4, 1850, by Henry Messer, 
M. G. 



350 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Richard Taylor to Anna Barbee, Dec. 31, 1845, by Isaac Lindsey, 
J. P. 

Robert Taylor to Sarah Valentine, Dec. 25, 1838, by James Leslie, 
J. P. 

Seaborn Taylor to Susan Metts, Nov. 11, 1852, by Benjamin 
Fordham, J. P. 

Washington Taylor to Frances Ann Taylor, Mar. 13, 1830, by 
James Leslie, J. P. 

Washington Taylor to Olive Brewer, Sept. 30, 1835, by 

William C. Taylor to Manda Simpson, Nov. 10, 1852, by William 
Ross, J. P. 

George W. Tarpley to Amelia Etheridge, Feb. 15, 1853, by Leroy 
Fleetwood, J. I. C. 

William Tarpley to Serena Gilbert, Dec. 16, 1841, by Isaac Lind¬ 
sey, J. P. 

James Temples to Mary Beck, Feb. 1, 1835, by Thomas Spence, 
J. P. 

James Temples to Martha I. Kirkland, Sept. 9, 1852, by Wiley F. 
Rogers, M. G. B. 

Thomas Temples to Almita Branan, Feb. 1, 1840, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Vincent Tharp to Elizabeth Melphin, Mar. 7, 1852, by W. D. 
Harnee, M. G. 

Redding Thigpen to Leatha Stevens, Jan. 8, 1851, by I. G. Weeks, 
J. P. 

Mark Thrower to Elizabeth Thompson, Apr. 20, 1837, by An¬ 
thony Seals, J. P. 

Daniel Thomas to Sarah Hall, Mar. 18, 1835, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Daniel Thomas to Mrs. Mary Butler, Jan. 25, 1846, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Daniel Thomas to Elizabeth Thomas, Apr. 8, 1847, by James Tay¬ 
lor, J. P. 

Edwin Thomas to Mary Howard, Feb. 20, 1854, by John H. Breed¬ 
love, J. P. 

George Thomas to Mary Ryle, Jan. 5, 1841, by John Evers, M. G. 

James I. Thomas to Mrs. Gilley Smith, July 23, 1848, by Eason 
Green, J. P. 

William Thomas to Sarah Ward, Mar. 16, 1851, by James Pitt¬ 
man, J. P. 

William Thomas to Nancy Keel, Jan. 30, 1838, by Starling 
Stuckey, J. P. 

Andrew I. Thompson to Frances Parker, Jan. 2, 1853, by J. 
Temples, J. P. 

Green Thompson to Sarah Jones, July 11, 1845, by J. R. Jones, 
M. G. 

John G. Thompson to Rebecca Stevens, July 7, 1850, by L. G. 
Meeks, J. P. 

James R. Thompson to Martha Wynn, Jan. 3,1833, by John Free¬ 
man, J. P. * J 

he^M* J hompson to Luc ^ damage, Aug. 5, 1855, by B. B. Shep- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


351 


Jimpsey Thompson to Mary Deese, Aug. 22, 1850, by Mills M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Jimpsey Thompson to Caroline Kittles, Nov. 9, 1841, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Lawrence Thompson to Mary McCarty, Dec. 21, 1847, by William 
A. Hall, J. P. 

Nathaniel Thompson to Elizabeth Simmons, Mar. 4, 1832, by Al¬ 
ford Blache, J. P. 

Solomon J. Thompson to Lentia McGowin, Oct. 25, 1857, by M. M. 
Lord, J. P. 

William Thompson to May Elizabeth Etheridge, Dec. 13, 1840, by 
Wiley Holland, J. P. 

William Thompson to Elizabeth Eady, Jan. 13, 1856, by William 
W. Goldin, J. P. 

David Tindol to Mary Ford, Nov. 8,1847, by G. B. Burney, J. I. C. 
A. J. Tindol to Lana Lavender, Dec. 28, 1848, by James Gibson, 

J. I. C. 

Bryant Tindoll to Elizabeth Stephens, Feb. 15, 1846, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

Charles Tipton to Mary Ann McCullars, Feb. 11, 1850, by L. G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

Charles G. Tipton to Airy P. Morre, May 6, 1853, by W. Ussery, 

J. P. 

John Tipton to Julia Ann Napper, Dec. 28, 1842, by Henry Davis, 

J. P. 

Seaborn Tipton to Amanda N. Wynne, Dec. 7, 1848, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Elisha Tinney to Sarah Barron, Dec. 16, 1838, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Richard C. Todd to Ann V. Wheaton, Nov. 6, 1849, by G. B. Bur¬ 
ney, J. I. C. 

William Talbot to Leany Record, July 4, 1841, by William Gar¬ 
rott, J. P. 

Charles Tripp to Agatha Davidson, Nov. 25, 1837, by A. W. Jor¬ 
dan, J. P. 

Wilson Turner to Nancy Herrin, July 25, 1820, by Hardy Har- 
groove, J. P. 

Sandy Eubanks to Mary Stuckey, Mar. 16, 1843, by A. W. Jordan, 

J. P. 

Thomas Underwood to Hannah Stubbs, May 16, 1844, by J. Blood- 
worth, J. P. 

Thomas B. Underwood to Emaline Temples, Aug. 19, 1852, by J. 
Temples, J. P. 

Samuel A. Ussery to Emeline P. Bush, Dec. 22, 1850, by William 
A. Hall, J. P. 

Daniel Ussery to Rebecca F. Crumby, Jan. 4, 1852, by Mills M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Peter Ussery to Anna Dixon, May 13, 1841, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Jesse Ussery to Martha Dixon, Feb. 1, 1846, by William A. Hall, 

J. P. 

Jackson W. Ussery to Rebecca Chambers, Oct. 22, 1846, by John 
Evers, M. G. 


352 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


William Ussery to Safrona Chandler, Dec. 18, 1849, by Mills M. 
Lord, J. P. 

John B. Ussery to Cyntha Crumbly, Jan. 4, 1846, by Henry Mes¬ 
ser, M. G. 

Andrew Valentine to Nancy Jones, Dec. 9, 1855, by W. W. Hughs, 
J. P. 


John Valentine to Cecelia Hanu, July 27, 1857, by J. B. Carrill, 
J. P. 

Edwin Valentine to Sethy Pugh, Jan. 24, 1821, by Levi Peacock, 
M. G. 

James W. Vanlandingham to Aurissa Horn, Oct. 27,1853, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

John Vanlandingham to Rebecca Price, Nov. 20, 1823, by James 
Williams, J. P. 

John Vanlandingham to Penelope Adkins, Apr. 26, 1855, by A. W. 
Wood, J. P. 

John N. Vanlandingham to Catherine F. Adkins, Oct. 23, 1856, by 
Henry Messer, M. G. 

Peter Vanlandingham to Mary Sanders, Oct. 18, 1820, by Levi 
Peacock, M. G. 

Samuel Vanlandingham to Charity Shepherd, Feb. 19, 1851, by 
Samuel Beall, J. I. C. 

William Vanlandingham to Elizabeth Dean, Mar. 27, 1826, by 
John Freeman, M. M. C. 

William R. Vanlandingham to Sarepta L. Horn, Mar., 1849, by 
Jesse Peacock, M. G. 

William R. Vanlandingham to Lizar Rutland, Dec. 13, 1855, by 
J. W. Breedlove, M. G. 

Wesley Vanlandingham to Elifair Shepherd, Mar. 11, 1852, by 
J. M. Bright, J. P. 

John D. Vann to Milinna Hogan, Dec. 15, 1839, by Allen Cannon, 
J. P. 


Thomas Vann to Harriot Lee, July 8, 1853, by James R. Billue, 
J. P. 

William I. Vann to Artinessa Bracewell, Jan. 6, 1845, by Allen 
Cannon, J. P. 

Coleman Vaughn to Sarah Willis, Nov. 29, 1832, by Jesse Brown, 
J. P. 

James Vaughn to Nancy Collins, Jan. 9, 1835, by James Hatcher, 
J. P. 

Wiley Vaughn to Epsy Fribble, Feb. 12, 1843, by Bryant O’Ban- 
non, J. P. 

Wiley Vaughn to Nancy Nole, Nov. 9, 1853, by W. B. Shepherd, 
J. P. 


James Ventress to Ann Dixon, 
J.P. 


Dec. 21, 1820, by Daniel M. Hall, 


Wiley Vincent to Lotty Hardie, June 21, 1834, by James Gibson, 
J. P. 

William Vincent to Rosena Nicholson, Dec. 8,1833, by Joel Rivers, 
J. P. 


William A. Vincent to Rebecca Todd, Dec. 1, 1839, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


353 


James L. Vincent to Caroline Woolsey, Oct. 14, 1847, by James 
Pittman, J. P. 

Benjamin Vinson to Amantha Rogers, Mar. 21, 1844, by Daniel 
Brewer, J. P. 

William N. Volintine to Sarah Jane Hardie, July 4, 1858, by J. 
M. Lord, J. I. C. 

Francis Wadkins to Elizabeth Kingery, May 19, 1852, by L. G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

Richard Wadkins to Elizabeth Williams, Dec. 9, 1851, by L. B. 
Porter, M. G. 

William Wadsworth to Mary Terry, Dec. 23, 1834, by James Gib¬ 
son, J. P. 

Linson Walden to Linna Wheeler, May 2, 1858, by Joshua Shep¬ 
herd, J. P. 

Linson Walden to Ann Lasseter, Feb. 14, 1844, by Love Herndon, 

J. P. 

William L. Walden to Elizabeth N. Vush, June 27, 1850, by Sam¬ 
uel Beall, J. I. C. 

John H. Wales to Mary Stubbs, Aug. 31, 1823, by Martin Hays, 

J. P. 

Joshua Walker to Elsey Dupree, Dec. 18, 1851, by John Dupree, 

M. G. 

Dier Wall to Elizabeth Hoover, Nov. 12, 1857, by William S. 
Baker, M. G. 

William D. Wall to Amanda E. Helton, Sept. 27, 1856, by Jesse 
Peacock, M. G. 

Samuel B. Waller to Harriet Shivers, Mar. 18, 1839, by A. W. 
Jordan, J. P. 

David Walters to Caroline Jones, Nov. 8, 1842, by S. J. Bush, J. P. 
Elbert Walters to Martha Walters, Sept. 27, 1851, by W. M. 
Cooper, M. G. 

Jesse Walters to Francis Hartley, Mar. 17, 1857, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

Madison Walters to Falby Smith, Nov. 1, 1853, by Daniel M. 
Cooper, J. P. 

Madison Walters to Leatha Stevens, July 6, 1856, by Samuel 

Beall, J. I. C. 

Henry Ward to Sarah Brooks, Apr. 27, 1848, by William D. 
Bloodworth, J. P. 

Ignatius Ward to Sarah Ann Pierce, Dec. 27, 1825, by James 
Gibson, J. P. 

James Ward to Sarah Fountain, Dec. 13, 1843, by Jackson Foun¬ 
tain, J. P. 

James Ward to Sarah Underwood, Mar. 7, 1844, by Jackson 
Fountain, J. P. 

James Ward to Harriet Bell, Dec. 19, 1845, by John Breedlove, 
M. G. 

Jeremiah Ward to Mary Ann Barlow, Oct. 29, 1857, by S. T. 
Player, J. P. 

Solomon Ward to Mary Bell, June 23, 1850, by William Ross, J. P. 
Thaddeus Ward to Martha Brewer, June 24, 1824, by Adam 
Jones, C. C. C. 


354 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


William Ward to Martha Fort, Aug. 18, 1842, by John Hughs, 
M. G. 

George Warren to Sarah Ross, Nov. 1, 1838, by Jesse Peacock, 
M. G. 

Robert Warren to Martha Ann Easter, Oct. 30, 1849, by James 
Taylor, J. P. 

Ezekiel Waters to Mary Sanders, Apr. 13, 1826, by Jesse Pea¬ 
cock, M. G. 

Cebron Waters to Sarah Ann Crutchfield, Jan. 11, 1845, by Wil¬ 
liam Ross, J. P. 

James Waters to Ann Crutchfield, July 25, 1844, by Henry Davis, 
J. P. 

Jesse Waters to Martha Brewer, Dec. 8, 1842, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Reuben Waters to Charity Stinson, Nov. 3, 1846, by Ellis Har- 
ville, M. G. 

William Waters to Mary Williams, Dec. 4, 1837, by Joel Deese, 
J. P. 

Calvin Watson to Mary Holly, Dec. 20, 1838, by William Ross, 
J. P. 

Richard Watson to Mary Holly, Dec. 20, 1838, by James Branan, 
J. P. 

John B. Weaver to Lucilla E. Howell, July 6, 1856, by J. N. Miller, 
J. P. 

John Weaver to Jane Billings, Apr. 23, 1865, by Pennington, J. P. 

Wiley Weaver to Nancy Allen, Dec. 23, 1826, by James Hatcher, 
J. P. 

Wiley G. Weaver to Tamsey Beck, Aug. 28, 1853, by J. S. Rustin, 
J. P. 

Wiley G. Weaver to Eliza Beck, June 20, 1860, by C. O. Davis, 
J. P. 

W. G. Weaver to Catherine Bloodworth, May 22, 1864, by B. B. 
Shepherd, M. G. 

William W. Weaver to Mary Ann Beck, Sept. 30, 1855, by J. N. 
Miller, J. P. 

Charles Webb to Sarah Tinney, Oct. 9, 1842, by Merritt Ether¬ 
idge, J. P. 

Daniel Webb to Martha Barfield, Jan. 7, 1846, by Daniel Brewer, 
J. P. 

Etherlred Webb to Rena Goodman, Apr. 5, 18..5, by Wilcom 
Ussery, J. P. 

James Webb to Mary Nalus, Oct. 11, 1838, by Anthony Seals, J. P. 

Jesse C. Webb to Elizabeth Goodman, Nov. 11, 1848, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Samuel B. Webb to Serinda E. Murphy, Jan. 4, 1825, by Merritt 
Etheridge, J. I. C. 

John T. Webster to Leo Lydia O’Bannon, Jan. 24, 1856, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

Bartimus Weeks to Elizabeth Jones, July 20, 1852, by Luke G. 
Weeks, J. P. 

M^G^ 6 ^ ^ ee ^ s to Martha Wilburn, Apr. 9,1830, by Jesse Peacock, 

David Welch to Eliza Harrell, Aug. 22, 1833, by James Gibson, 

J . Jl . 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


355 


James Welch to Nancy Davis, Feb. 14, 1823, by Timothy Sears, 
J. P. 

James Welch to Lucinda Darman, Jan. 9, 1825, by James Wil¬ 
liams, J. P. 

Isaac C. West to Jacham Whitehurst, Dec. 18, 1834, by Zach- 
ariah Brown, M. G. 

David Wheeler to Delilah Simpson, July 14, 1841, by Samuel 
Beall, J. I. C. 

David Wheeler to Nancy Bales, Mar. 26, 1857, by C. 0. Davis, 
J. P. 

Eli Wheeler to Susannah Manderson, July 22, 1824, by G. Shen- 
liolster, J. P. 

Ira Wheeler to Jane Stephens, Sept. 19, 1853, by W. Honeycut, 

J. P. 

Isaac Wheeler to Martha A. W. Rogers, Jan. 5, 1858, by W. M. 
Cooper, M. G. 

John Wheeler to Damarius Etheridge, Apr. 8, 1834, by Merritt 
Etheridge, J. I. C. 

Anderson A. Williams to Cornelia Collins, June 27, 1850, by Eli 
Sears, J. P. 

Alford Williams to Suannah Ross, Sept. 14, 1854, by E. Ridley, 
J. P. 

David Williams to Sarah Moss, Feb. 3, 1825, by James Williams, 
J. P. 

James Williams to Susan McNeal, Oct. 30, 1845, by Isaac Lindsey. 
John Williams to Mrs. Sarah Davis, May 18, 1823, by John Har- 
die, J. I. C. 

William Williams to Mary Lavender, Nov. 5, 1846, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

William Williams to Mary Ross, July 18, 1852, by William A. 
Hall, J. P. 

John Wry to Sarah Thomas, Jan. 6, 1845, by John Evers, M. G. 
Joseph Wry to Matilda Thomas, Dec. 19, 1844, by John Evers, 
M. G. 

Andrew Wynn to May Brewer, Feb. 20, 1845, by John Freeman, 

J. P. 

John Wynn to Elizabeth A. Howell, Oct. 22, 1845, by William 
Garrott, J. P. 

Josiah Wynn to Louisa Freeman, Jan., 1838, by John Freeman, 

J. P. 

Obediah Wynn to Nancy Crumbly, Aug. 5, 1847, by Joseph M. 
Lord, J. P. 

Henry E. Hyman to Mrs. Sarah C. McIntyre, July 25, 1860, by 
William Smith, M. G. 

MARRIAGE RECORDS REVERSED 
Arranged by Mrs. J. W. Hooks 

Aycock, Mary-John Evans; Adams, Nancy-Nathniel Shepherd; 
Adams, Mary-Sanders Armest; Adams, Saley-Peter Leathers; 
Adams, Martha-Drewing Loyds; Adams, Sara Ann-Josiah Stevens; 
Adams, Elizabeth-Kinmon Dixon; Ades, Nancy-W. W. Collins; 


356 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Adkins, Catherine F.-John N. Vanlandingham; Adkins, Penelope- 
John Vanlandingham; Arrington, Delana-William L. Bloodworth; 
Allday, Mary-Tilmon Barlow; Allen, Susan-Abraham Pitts; An¬ 
drew, Ann-Washington Collins; Ashley, Elizabeth-James Blood- 
worth; Atkinson, Sophia-John Meredith; Aycock, Mary-Abraham 
Stevens; Allen, Nancy-Wiley Weaver; Amerson, Maria-John M. 
Beck; Ard, Sarah F.-Wagner Eyland; Arnold, Sophia-Alexander 
Passmore; Avey, Elizabeth-James Howell. 

Baker, Ruth-Franklin Bragg; Baile, Susan-Robert Noles; Bales, 
Lamanda-John Lowery; Bales, Artimissa-William Lavender; Bales,. 
Artimissa-William Cato; Ballard, Martinssy-Daniel McCook; Bar- 
Bee, Cuzzy-Joseph Meadows; Barber, Melissa-Thomas Davis; Bar¬ 
ber, Aisley-Needham Falk; Barfield, Sarah-Ira Bell; Barfield, Mar- 
tha-Daniel Webb; Barlow, Mary Ann-Jeremiah Ward; Barlow, 
Rhody-James Hoover; Barnes, Elizabeth E.-John A. G. Lewis; 
Barnet, Anna-Jacob Johnson; Barron, Jurisha-James Stevens ; 
Baskin, Mary-David M. C. McMurren; Batchelor, Sabrina-Thomas 
Lester; Baggs, Elizabeth-Charles Stewart; Bailey, Mary-Jesse 
Crumbly; Bales, Nancy-David Wheeler; Bales, Lydia-Samuel Blood- 
worth; Ballard, Evaline-Matthew Jones; Barbee, Anna-Richard 
Taylor; Barber, Matilda-Nathaniel Shepherd; Barber, Julian-Robert 

F. Fruney; Barefield, Sivia-Brice Ragan;Barfield, Elizabeth-Abso- 
lom Cobb; Barlow, Pamelia-Coleman Keen; Barlow, Eady-James 
Deck; Barlow, Malinda C.-John Etheridge; Barnet, Sarah-John 
Jones; Barnet, Maggy L.-Thomas Hooks; Barron, Sarah-Elisha 
Tinney; Batchelor, Rebecca-Jackson Fountain; Beall, Epsy-James 
Andrews; Beall, Arg-Samuel Peace; Beall, Missouri-Thomas Beall; 
Beall, Masey-William F. Boggs; Beall, Sarah-James Logan; Beall, 
Elizabeth-John Gibson; Bean, Celia-Seaborn Pearse; Beck, Epsy- 
Charles Hooks; Beck, Arra-John McQuaig; Beck, Mary-James 
Temples; Beck, Elsad Ann M.-Jackson Amerson; Bell, Mary-Solo- 
mon Ward; Bellflower, Ann-Aaron Davis; Berry, Sarah-Micajah 
Davenport; Billings, Mary-John W. Lord; Blackburn, Nancy-John 
Hathorn; Bloodworth, Elizabeth-Thomas G. Dicks; Bloodworth, 
Mrs. Mary E.-John R. Fuller; Bloodworth, Edna Ann-John E. Beck; 
Beall, Eliza-John Hickman; Beall, Ephry B.-Icullier Z. Buchotter; 
Beall, Mary E.-Edward B. Barrett; Beall, Patsey-Thomas Smith; 
Beall, Bethana-William Smith; Beck, Eliza-Wiley G. Weaver; Beck, 
Tamsey-Wiley G. Weaver; Beck, Ann-David Harrington; Beck, 
Mary Ann-William W. Weaver;Bell, Elizabeth-Major Collins; Bell, 
Sarah Ann-John Fountain; Benning, Jane L.-Joseph Boone; Bil¬ 
lings, Jane-John Weaver; Bishop, Sarah-William Ross; Bloodworth, 
Mary-Henry Hoover; Bloodworth, Mary-Elijah Ballad; Blood¬ 
worth, Jane-Robert Charters; Bloodworth, Martha J.-William I, 
Shepherd; Bloodworth, Soriphton-Jesse Rustin; Bloodworth, Zana- 
D. M. Beck; Bloodworth, Rebeckah-Martin A. Bedford; Bloodworth, 
Catherine-W. G. Weaver; Bloodworth, Catherine A.-D. Augustus 
Pennington; Bloodworth, Eliot-Alien B. James; Boals, Mary-Martin 

G. Phillips; Boll, Harriet-James Ward; Boon, Martha-Wiley Mere¬ 
dith; Boyington, Mary-John McMullen; Bracewell, Artinessa-Wil- 
liam I. Vann; Bradley, Sarah-William Davidson; Brady, Eliza- 
John Hurston; Brady, Margery-James Ballard; Bragg, Anna-Sam- 
uel Cannon; Bragg, Mary M.-Thomas Gibson; Branan, Alzada- 
Larkin Parker; Bloodworth, Martha E.-Adam Gresham; Blood- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


357 


worth, Margaret-Joel Leslie; Bloodworth, Sophrona-J. M. Beck; 
Bloodworth, Frances E.-W. A. Kirkland; Bloodworth, Mary-James 
Dicks; Blow, Martha M. R.-Joseph C. Edwards; Boggs, Sary-Isaieth 
Dykes; Bpon, Mary Ann-Henry Davis; Bostwick, L. S. R.-Josiah 

H. Jones; Boyington, Martha-Constantine B. Anderson; Bradley, 
Sarah-James Goodman; Brady, Mary Jane-John B. A. Bloodworth; 
Brady, Harriet-John McGowin; Brady, Martha-James Ballard; 
Bragg, Gracy-Richard L. Rivers; Branan, Almita-Thomas Temples; 
Branan, Sarah-J. E. Holland; Branan, Elizabeth-Burrel Holder; 
Branan, Winney-Othnil McCook; Branan, Elizabeth-Harris Ethe¬ 
ridge; Branan, Sarah-Love Herndon; Branan, Frances-Joseph Eth¬ 
ridge; Braziel, Elizabeth-Aaron Carr; Brewer, Sarah-John John¬ 
son; Brewer, Martha-Jesse Waters; Brewer, Elizabeth-Irwin Lam¬ 
bert; Brewer, Matilda-William B. Ryle; Brewer, Bethina-Frederick 
Barfield; Bright, Lydia-Chisley Pervis; Brooks, Mary W.-John R. 
Beall; Brooks, Sarah-Henry Ward; Brown, Rebecca M. A.-William 
Brown; Brown, Lydia-James Garrott; Brown, Sarah F.-W. F. 
Hoover; Brown, Ann-Benjamin Clark; Bruner, Elizabeth-Francis 
John; Branan, Kissandra-Jacob Gainey; Branan, Sarah J.-James 
A. Lindsey; Branan, R.-R. D. McCullars; Branan, Catherine-Rich- 
ard S. Smith; Brawn, Mary-Jesse Carrol; Brewer, Sarah-Isaac 
Fort; Brewer, Martha-Thaddeus Ward; Brewer, Olive-Washington 
Taylor; Brewer, Martha-John Brooks; Brewer, May-Andrew 
Wynn; Bridges, Nancy-William W. Collins; Breedlove, Eliza A.- 
Jesse W. A. Peacock; Brooks, Margaret M.-John S. Batson; Brown, 
Sarah-John M. McDonald; Brown, Nancy-John E. McConnel; 
Brown, Melvina Jane-John McNeal; Brown, Mary-William Brown; 
Brown, M. J.-J. G. Carswell; Bryant, Tabitha-William I. Sears; 
Buckholts, Mary-James Butler; Bullock, Mariah-Allen Brooks; Bul¬ 
lock, Elizabeth-Samuel Rutherford; Bullock, Mary-John G. R. 
Hogan; Burke, Elizabeth-Samuel Meredith; Bush, Sarah-Joseph 
Boatwright; Bush, Emeline P.-Samuel A. Ussery; Bush, Zilpha- 
James N. Hall; Bustin, Caroline-Benjamin I. Howard; Butler, 
Nancy-Christopher Smith; Butler, Jane-James M. Knight; Butler, 
Polly-James Smith; Butler, Teresa-William Cummings; Budd, Eliz- 
abeth-William Fountain; Bullock, Lydia-Jesse Martin; Bullock, 
Matilda-Henry McCullars; Burke, Sarah-Wiley Philips; Burney, 
Malinda E.-Mack Early Boatwright; Burney, Malinda E.-Mack 
Early Boatwright; Bush, Cyntha-Newton Bullock; Bush, Susannah 
J.-Eldridge E. Kemp; Bush, Elizabeth-Morgan Kemp; Butler, Mrs. 
Mary-Daniel Thomas; Butler, Emelina-James Adams; Butler, Ma- 
hala-Simeon Stuckey; Butler, Sarah Ann—nfield Levington. 

Calhoun, Sarah Ann-James W. Gray; Campbell, Elizabeth-Jesse 
Pearse; Cannon, Pheba Ann-James Pearse; Cannon, Leah I.-Joel 

I. Loften; Cannon, Keysiah-J. L. Hancock; Calhoun, Mary Jane E.- 
James W. Gray; Caniday, Mary-Benjamin Porter; Cannon, Lucre- 
tia-Wiley Fordham-Cannon, Frances Ann-Thomas Dixon; Cannon, 
Argent-Etheland Ogburn; Cannon, V. I.-George W. Payne; Cannon, 
Mrs. Catherine-John Edmunson; Carriot, Martha-Cornellius Brady; 
Carroll, Margaret-Robert Freeman; Carr, Elizabeth-John W. Man- 
derson; Carr, Mary Ann-Sabriel Jones; Carr, Manda-James E. 
Butler; Carr, Mary Lucinday-John W. Meadows; Carr, Susannah- 
James M. Langford; Carr, Margaret-James Bloodworth; Cato, Eliz- 
abeth-Willis Stapleton; Cawley, Elizabeth-John Freeman; Chandler, 
Sarah-Richard Horn; Candler, Dic.y-Bartley Stevens; Chandler, 


358 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Erinda-Elijah Cook; Chambers, Elizabeth-Calvin Dean; Chambers, 
Rebecca-Jackson W. Ussery; Chambers, Rebecca-William Garrett; 
Chambers, Sabrina-James Fountain; Cannon, Milbra-Jackson 
Ryles; Cardis, Ruthe-Cornelius Batcheller; Carroll, Mary E.-John 
Spears; Carroll, Tabitha-William A. Batson; Carr, Betsy Ann- 
Allan Dykes; Carr, Saphona-William R. Parker; Carr, Sarah Ann- 
James W. Cross; Carr, Mary Ann-Robert Johnson; Carr, Elizabeth- 
Samuel Meredith; Carswell-Sarah J.-John Burke; Cauley, Lisha- 
John Bailey; Cerren, Poshans-Elbert Daumany; Chandler, Safrona- 
William Ussery; Chandler, Elizabeth-David Avery; Chandler, Jane- 
Stephen Sutton; Chambers, Martha-John D. Freeman; Chambers, 
Polly-Rodie Johnson; Chambers, Julia-William K. Methvin; Cham¬ 
bers, America-George Lord; Chapman, Elizabeth-John F. Ryle; 
Cherry, Delina-William Merchant; Chewing, Eliza-John Smith; 
Chilley, Martha-Zachariah Collins; Churning, Matilda-Oliver W. 
P. Ashley; Christwell, Haneth-John Rains; Clark, Suannah-Daniel 
Jones; Clay, Sallie-T. J. Jordan; Clemens, Polly-Thomas Philips; 
Cobb, Mary-John C. Leslie; Cobb, Elizabeth-Joseph Ellis; Cobb, 
Nancy-Wiley Smith; Collins, Cornelia-Anderson A. Williams; Col¬ 
lins, Susan J.-Elbert Rutherford; Collins, Caley-William Carring¬ 
ton; Collins, Narcissa-John Kemp; Cone, Judy-John Crumbly; Cook, 
Elizar-Stephens Passmore; Cook, Tabytha-Daniel Avery; Cherry, 
Paysey-Daniel Hooks; Cherry, Rena-Lovet Jenkins; Chester, Sarah 
A.-William Daniel; Chiles, Elizabeth-John Marshall; Christine, Ann- 
Wiliam Smallwood; Clark, Rhody A.-Dennis Grayham; Clay, Lu- 
cinda-Harrison Etheridge; Clay, Martha-Steven J. Lord; Coats, 
Nancy-Josiah Dominy; Cobb, Sarah Ann Elizabeth-Levi Mathews; 
Cobb, Rhoda-Washington Butler; Collins, Priscilla-Franklin Ruth¬ 
erford; Collins, Mary-Tilmon Barlow; Collins, Mary J.-James Cher¬ 
ry; Collins, Nancy-James Vaughn; Colly, Nancy-Cader Price; Cone, 
Judy-Eliazer Crumley; Cook, Sealy-Jesse Leslie; Cook, Elifair J.- 
John M. Salter; Cook, Patsy-Nicholas Lewis; Coop, Rebecca-Sam- 
uel Ridgill; Cooper, Rebecca-Franklin Boon; Copelan, Rebecca- 
Miles Smith; Cox, Mary-John Sanders; Craft, Francis-Moses Dan¬ 
iel; Crawford, Elizabeth-Talbot Bell; Crisswell, Anna-Green Du- 
priest; Cross, Mary-John Patterson; Crumby, Rebecca F.-Daniel 
Ussery; Crumbly, Nancy-Obediah Wynn; Crumpton, Elasia-Thomas 
McMurren; Crutchfield, Sarah Ann-Cebron Waters; Culpepper, 
Elizabeth-William Ryles; Currey, Cely-Tibisha Lasseter; Cook, M. 
E.-James F. Pruit; Cooper, Peggy-Joseph Taylor; Cooper, Susan 
Ann-James Bullock; Cowart, Sarah-Beverly Christopher; Craft, 
Martha-M. V. Eason; Craft, Beady-Martin L. Clanch; Crison, 
Frances-James Kemp; Criswell, Polly-Robert Peters; Cross, Savel- 
Roland I. Sanders; Crumbly, Cyntha-John B. Ussery; Crumbly, 
Betsy-James Howell; Crumpton, Sarah-Jessie Dunn; Crutchfield, 
Ann-James Waters; Curry, Penney-Henry Lasseter. 

Dancy, Frances-William Rolls; Daughmany, Ann Elizabeth-Wil¬ 
liam Mathis; Davis, Eliza N.-Thomas M. Freeman; Davis, Martha- 
Rias Swails; Dabage, Missouri-Cornelius Bachelor; Daniel, Nancy- 
David Ennis; Davis, Mrs. Sarah-John Williams; Davis, Betsy-Elias 
Barnes; Davis, Meponri Octavia-Harvey M. Freeman; Davis, 
Nancy-James Welch; Davis, Rachael-James Dean; Davis, Martha- 
James C. Bowers; Davidson, Mary-Lionel Lee; Davidson, Sarah A.- 
A. A. Collins; Davidson, Elizabeth-Bryant Roberts; Darman, Lu- 
cinda-James Welch; Davidson, Lavina-Richard Porter; Day, Caro- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


359 


line M.-James B. Jones; Dean, Lamanda-James F. Goodman; Dean, 
Elizabeth M.-John N. E. Davis; Dean, Sarah-Jackson Stuckey; 
Deans, Sizanah-Sevi Christopher; Deese, Elizabeth-John Stephens; 
Deason, Jane-John Bush; Deason, Nancy-William Smith; Dennard, 
Ellifair-Clayton Beall; Delk, Zilphrey-Robert Gauley; Dieks, Nancy- 
John Mathews; Davis, Caroline-John W. Dicks; Davis, Jane-Wil¬ 
liam B. Colly; Davis, Vicy-John Dixon; Davidson, Winney-Richard 
Porter; Davidson, Elizabeth-William L. Collins; Davidson, Agatha- 
Charles Tripp; Davidson, Winny-Eli Sears; Davidson, Lydi^-Ab- 
solem Jordan; Day, Elizabeth-Charles Boyington; Dean, Nancy- 
Robert H. Goodman; Dean, Martha E.-James Freeman; Dean, Eliza¬ 
beth-William Vanlandingham; Deese, Mary-Jimpsey Thompson; 
Deese, Epsy-John A. Robinson; Deason, Jemima-Lawrence Smith; 
Dees, Joel-Williamson Crawford; Delk, Lucy-Noel Pittman; Delk, 
Lucretia-Alamarine Marshall; Dismuke, Polly-Ellis Mahon; Dixon, 
Ann-James Ventress; Dixon, Martha-Jesse Ussery; Dixon, Polly- 
Alien Chambers; Dixon, Martha-John F. Evans; Dixon, Nancy- 
Mason Hartley; Doke, Jenny-John Spence; Domini, Anna-Robert 
Fordham; Dormany, Ailsy-Greenbury Daniel; Dorminy, Malinda- 
John J. Bird; Downing, Sarah Ann-Arcellus Leslie; Dunn, Martha- 
William Fuller; Dupree, Nancy-William Gray; Dupree, Ann-Wil- 
liam Breedlove; Dupree, Mary-Joseph Davidson; Dupree, Nancy- 
William Bowen; Dupree, Mary D.-Alexander Rawls; Dupree, Cyn- 
tha-George W. Bishop; Dush, Becky Emily-Isaac Jones; Dykes, 
Winna-Larkin S. McConnell; Dixon, Louisa-Champion Butler; Dix¬ 
on, Anna-Peter Ussery; Dixon, Elizabeth A.-Wright Sheffield; Dix¬ 
on, Susanna-Abraham I. Fairchild; Dixon, Mary E.-Hansford Hall; 
Doke, Sarah-Jesse Procter; Don, Mary-John Cone; Dorminy, Mary 
Ann-Jeremiah Fordham; Doughtry, Mary-John Belflower; Duncan, 
Margaret Ann-William Howell; Dupree, Mary-William D. Cony; 
Dupree, Elsey-Joshua Walker; Dupree, Sarah-James Billue; Du¬ 
pree, Ellen H.-Matthew J. Carswell; Dupree, Nancy-John W. Bishop; 
Dupree, Sarah L.-William A. Cannon; Dupriest, Charity-William 
Sawer; Dyer, Rebecca-James W. Cumbiss; Dykes, E. M.-T. F. 
Brewer. 

Eady, Mary-Samuel Pittman; Eady, Elizabeth-William Thomp¬ 
son; Eady, Martha-Daniel Pittman; Eady, Harriet-William Colsaw; 
Eady, Eliza-Cran Davis; Easter, Martha Ann-Robert Warren; 
Ecom, Mariah-Marshall King; Ellington, Rachael B.-John Freeman; 
Ellis, Rachel M.-Robert Greer; Ellis, Sally-John Knight; Ellis, 
Betsy Ann-Griffin Smith; Ellis, Nancy-James Smith; Etheridge, 
Mary Ann-John Hancock; Etheridge, Elizabeth-Jesse Maccy; Ethe- 
rid'ge, Tabytha-Archibald Hooks; Etheridge, Nancy-Leroy Fleet- 
wood; Etheridge, May Elizabeth-William Thompson; Etheridge, 
Elly-Thomas Cass; Etheridge, Marietta-Wingfield S. Pierce; Ethe¬ 
ridge, Nicv-Samuel Andrews; Etheridge, Lucinda-Jonathon C. 
Pearson; Etheridge, Heatha-John Pearse; Etheridge, Sarah Ann- 
Thomas I. Cooper; Etheridge, Nancy-John Noles; Etheridge, Mar- 
garet-John McCarroll; Etheridge, Hopy-Harmond Jackson; Ethe¬ 
ridge, Amelia-George W. Tarpley; Etheridge, Damarius-John 
Wheeler; Ethridge, Martha-James Branan; Ethridge, Sarah-John 
T. Branan; Etheridge, Amelia-John Hooks; Ethridge, Nancy-Amos 
Bently; Ethridge, Cealy-John Berkett; Evers, Sarah Ann-James 
Smith; Exum, Matilda-Elbert Collins; Exum, Frances-Joseph Dav¬ 
idson. 


360 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Faircloth, Nicy-Edward Simpson; Fann, Frances-John Mc- 
Cracking; Farmer, Elizabeth-William Holder; Farmer, Anjaline- 
David Humphreys; Farmer, Harriet-Jessie Holder; Farmer, Caro- 
line-William W. Goldin; Faulk, Lydia-William Payne; Finney, 
Sarah-Benjamin Lewis; Fleetwood, Amelia A.-John D. Hicks; Ford, 
Savannah-Alien Albritton; Ford, Mary-David Tindol; Fordham, 
Mary Ann-Joseph E. Dominy; Fordham, Olen-Thomas Dupree; 
Fordham, Martha-C. P. Rawls; Fordham, Jane-Simeon Ellington; 
Fordham, Alsey-James Daniel; Fordham, Elsy-Daniel Dawsey; 
Fort, Martha-William Ward; Fort, Susan-William M. Dennard; 
Fort, Rebecca-Jack Brooks; Fountain, Lucy Ann-Richard Hatfield; 
Fountain, Sarah-James Ward; Fountain, Sabrina-John Bachelor; 
Fountain, Elifair-Harry Cook; Fountain, Cesseat (Keziah)-Enoch 
Garrett; Fountain, Sarah E.-Joseph Hern; Fountain, Sarah-Arthur 
Sanders; Fountain, Polly-John Nalus; Frazar, Winifred-James 
Paul; Frazer, Mary-Robert Rozier; Frazier, Eliza F.-Nathaniel Gib¬ 
son; Frazure, Louisa-James Cherry; Freed, Amelia-Alexander 
Baum; Freeman, Civility-Hiliard McGowin; Freeman, Mary 
Amanda-John H. Freeman; Freeman, Louisa-Josiah Wynn; Free¬ 
man, Martha-Joseph Hatfield;; Freeman, Mary-Willis Chambers; 
Freeman, Harriot N.-James I. Rigby; Freeman, Lucy-William Pick- 
erin; Freeman, Chana-John J. Stanton; Freeman, Celia-Samuel M. 
Nesmith; Freeman, Nancy Ann-Samuel Player; French, Lidia- 
Dewly Jordan; Fribble, Epsy-Wiley Vaughn; Frost, Jannette-Jo¬ 
seph Boyed; Fuller, Tabitha-Washington J. Golden. 

Gafford, Lucinda-John Castelow; Gainey, Susan-Lewis M. Eth¬ 
ridge; Gainey, Caroline-Jackson J. Leslie; Gainey, Tabitha J.-John 
I. Shepherd; Gainey, Rachel-James Meadows; Gainey, Catherine N.- 
Jonathan Rivers; Ganey, Mary-William S. Fountain; Gardner, 
Emily-Franklin Branon; Gardner, Elizabeth B.-William Davis; 
Garrett, Nancy-Anthony Lavender; Garrett, Easter M.-Thomas W. 
Pennington; Garrett, Isabel-William Chambers; Garrett, Martha E.- 
A. J. Kingery; Garrett, Zilla-John Lavender; Garriott, Martha- 
Cornellius Bradley; Garrison, Mary-Young Mann; Garrott, Mary- 
William Cook; Garrott, Mary-George Knight; Garrott, Nancy- 
Julius W. Evins; Gay, Elizabeth-John Fragin; Gibson, Pris- 
cilla-Charles Iva; Gilbert, Amerlia-William Gilbert; Gilbert, 
Serena-William Tarpley; Gillian, I. F.-Robert Hardie; Gil¬ 
more, Rachael-Boldwin Gray; Glodin, Georgianna Elizabeth- 
Thomas Bloodworth; Glover, Amanda M.-John C. Little; 
Glover, Nancy-James Roberts; Goddy, Mary-John King; Godwin, 
Elizabeth-Arnos Smith; Godwin, Margaret-Thomas Smith; Golden, 
Sarah Emile-Elijah Ballard; Golden, Ellen-James Patterson; Gold¬ 
in, Canilla-William Jones; Goodman, Winifred-David Robinson; 
Goodman, Sarah-Henry Pickle; Goodman, Catherine-Nathan W. 

T_9 00( ^ man ’ M ar y"Micajah Pickle; Goodman, Elizabeth-Jesse 
C. Webb; Goodman, Rena-Etherlred Webb; Goodman, Mary-Joseph 
M. Burke; Granade, Eliza-E. J. Holland; Granade, Francis J.-Wil¬ 
liam Councel; Gray, Aurela F.-Alfred V. McCardal; Gray, Mary- 
Jeremiah Brooks; Gray, Jane-William Aycock; Gray, Rachel-Steven 
Gillmore; Green, Martha-Aaron Dixon; Green, Martha-Jeremiah 
V\ Dl ^ kl o SOn; Green ’ Mille y Ann-Wiley L. Cannon; Green, Jane- 
John G. Cannon; Grenade, Catherine-William F. Mackey; Griffith, 
Nancy-Thomas Norwood; Grubs, Susan-James N. Lord; Guley, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


361 


Sarah-William Lindsey; Gunn, Elizabeth-Jackson Stapleton; Gunn, 
Charity-George Knaves. 

Hall, Susan F.-Seaborn E. Jones; Flail, Mary E.-William O’Ban- 
non; Hall, Mary-Hyram Swiney; Hall, Elizabeth-William Mathews; 
Hall, Parmelia-Levi Ezill; Hall, Jane-William I. Chambers; Hall, 
Eliza-James M. Bush; Hall, Polly-William Baskins; Hall, Nancy- 
John Bracton; Hall, Sarah-Daniel Thomas; Hancock, Eliza Ann- 
Jonathan John; Hancock, Elizabeth-Lewis Smith; Hancock, Mary- 
Adam Clark; Hancock, Mary-Jonathan Ridley; Hanu, Cecelia-John 
Valentine; Hardie, Sarah Jane-William N. Voluntine; Hardie, 
Mary-Duncan McNeal; Hardie, Amilla A. E. D.-Daniel Bush; Har¬ 
die, Martha-Jesse Holder; Hardie, Martha J.-Calvin J. Nixon; Har¬ 
die, Lenzar-Femy Lavender; Hardie, Lotty-Wiley Vincent; Hardin, 
Demurris-Everett Ridley; Hardin, Nancy-Nathan Bridges; Harrell, 
Eliza-David Welch; Hartley, Clarky A. E.-Reddick William Bell; 
Hartley, Ancy-James Barlow; Hartley, Mary A. M.-William H. 
Price; Hartley, Frances-Jesse Walters; Hartley, Caroline-Coleman 
Dixon; Hartley, Susan A.-Joseph M. Bell; Harville, Margaret-Rod- 
urn Crutchfield; Harville, Nancy-Hukel I. C. Stutz; Harville, Char- 
lotte-Limon A. Hall; Harville, Kissiah-Micajah Paulk; Haskins, 
Nancy-Joseph Chandler; Hatcher, Mary Ann-Richard Snow; Hatch¬ 
er, Sarah Ann-George W. Shenholster; Hatcher, Obedience-John 
Jones; Hatcher, George Ann-Nathaniel C. Hughs; Hatcher, Har- 
retter-Hiram Pace; Hatcher, Obedience-Ezekiel McMichael; Hatch¬ 
er, Mahony-Berry Shepherd; Hatfield, Janes Elizabeth-Townslin 
Hardin; Hatfield, Harriet-Joseph Kinsey; Hatfield, Frances Ann- 
Flucher Reed; Hatfield, Martha-William Slappey; Hatfield, Bru- 
netter-Edmund Stevens; Hathcox, Hannah-Bartley Barge; Haw¬ 
thorne, Hannah-Samuel B. Brewer; Hayes, Nancy Ann-Lewis Mat¬ 
hews; Hays, Laudista-John Rutland; Haywood, Mary-James Cher¬ 
ry; Hearn, Matilda Elizabeth-William A. Fort; Hearndon, Sarah- 
Sam Bragg; Hearndon, Elizabeth-Bartlett Bell; Hearndon, Esther- 
Needham Brown; Hearndon, Gracy-Caswell Branon; Helton, Sarah 
I.-William W. Dean; Helton, Nancy W.-William B. Shepherd; Hel¬ 
ton, Martha-Heliory E. Hartley; Helton, Amanda E.-William D. 
Wall; Henderson, Margaret-Edmond Hatcher; Herndon, Clary- 
Robert Johnson; Herndon, Bathana-Bryant Jones; Herrin, Nancy- 
Wilson Turner; Herring, Nancy-Isaac Jones; Hickmon, Emeline- 
Alexander D. Hall; Hickmon, Caroline-John Barfield; Hickmon, 
Elizabeth-James W. McCook; Hickmon, Apsaland-Robert J. Cone; 
Hickmon, Sarah-Eli Mathis; Hicks, Caroline-Charles G. Giddie; 
Hicks, Harriet-Frederick Beall; Hicks, C. C.-E. J. Gilbert; Hicks, 
Piety E.-William Beall; Hicks, Louisa M.-Edwin Mayo; Hicks, 
Mary-William W. Hall; Hicks, Sarah Ann-Larkin Smith; Hicks, 
Serem-Ephram Dennis; Hinsal, Lemel Legina-Moses Justice; Hite, 
Caty-John F. Davis; Hocsin, Susan-John Horton; Hogan, Milinna- 
John D. Vann; Hogan, Mrs. Gilla-Paskal Branan; Hogan, Mary- 
....miul Lavender; Hogan, Elvinia-Lewis Manderson; Hogan, Sarah- 
Richard Porter; Holder, Elizabeth-James L. Sanders; Holder, 
Nancy-Valentine Crumley; Holder, Rachael-James Davis; Holder, 
Nancy-Claborn Sanders; Holder, Epsy-James Qato; Holder, Rach- 
ael-Isaac Stephens; Holder, Sarah-Solomon Coulson; Holder, Mary- 
John Jones; Holder, Dorcas-David C. Taylor; Holder, Louisa-Hiram 
Meadows; Holley, Nancy-William Ridley; Holliman, Martha J.- 


362 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Philip Payne; Holly, Mary-Calvin Watson; Holly, Mary-Richard 
Watson; Hooks, Peggy-Aldridge Collins; Hooks, Syntha Ann-Willis 
Bloodworth; Hooks, Elizabeth-William Summerford; Hooks, Ma- 
tilda-James Taylor; Hooks, Martha J.-Westly Honeycut; Hooks, 
Margaret-Reddick Bell; Hooks, Tabitha D.-Samuel Kingery; Hooks, 
Amsy-Mitchell Frazier; Hooks, Nancy-Benjamin Bridges; Hooks- 
Elizabeth-H. P. Harrell; Hooks, Lozina-William Burris; Hoover, 
Mary-John Lavender; Hoover, Elifair-Hamilton G. Daniel; Hoover, 
Elizabeth-Dier Wall; Hoover, Elizabeth-Calvin Edson; Hoover, 
Betsy-Daniel Lavender; Honeycut, Margain-William W. Pearse; 
Honeycut, Caroline-John Hatcher; Honeycut, Rose Ann-Charles 
Hooks; Honeycut, Francis-Robert Jonson; Horn, Sarepta L.-Wil¬ 
liam R. Vanlandingham; Horn, Mary-Lester Gordon; Horn, Aurissa- 
James W. Vanlandingham; Horn, Elinder-Daniel Sanders; Horton, 
Clarisa-Thomas I. Brown; Hotton, Elithia-William Brown; Howard, 
Mary-Edwin Thomas; Howard, Rebecca-John Omans; Howard, 
Julia-David Barron; Howard, Lydia-William Hasta; Howell, Nar- 
cissa C.-William J. Duncan; Howell, Francis-Mills Lord; Howell, 
Lucilla E.-John B. Weaver; Howell, Drucilla-David Howell; How¬ 
ell, Adeline-George Butler; Howell, Elizabeth A.-John Wynn; 
Hughes, Elizabeth-Samuel Bush; Hughs, Martha E.-James M. Beall; 
Hughs, Ginsey-James W. Hall; Hughs, Isabell-Urias Paulk; Hughs, 
Elizabeth-Chartes Powell; Husk, Ann-Alfred Coly; Hutchinson, Lu- 
cinda-James Garrett. 

Isler, Maryann-Joseph Boon. 

Jackson, Faithy-Meridith Honeycut; Jackson, Emanda-David 
Smith; Jackson, Louisa J.-Lawrence Clark; Jackson, Caroline-Sam 
Ethridge; Jackson, Elizabeth-Allan Rodgers; Jackson, Martha- 
Daniel Hooks; Jackson, Polly-Benjamin Barber; Jackson, Caroline- 
Freeman Dixon; January, Anny-Solomon Greer; James, Martha- 
John Deason; Jeans, Frances E.-Adam Allen; Jenkins, Drucilla- 
Samuel Bragg; Jenkins, Martha-Nathaniel D. Robertson; Jenkins, 
Sarah S.-Joseph E. Jackson; Jenkins, Mary Ann-Mitchell Everidge; 
Jerkins, Amanda-Richard Jones; Jerkins, America-Francis J. Col¬ 
lins; Jerkins, Lucinda-Franklin Collins; Jessup, Catherine-Harrison 
E. Harville; John, Martha-John Eady; John, Elizabeth Ann-Steven 
Lord; John, Sarah-Robert N. Parker; John, Mary J.-James Council; 
Johnson, Lacy Ann-Samuel Hatfield; Johnson, Georgiann-Elijah 
Bales; Johnson, Sarah-John Raines; Johnson, Eliza-Daniel Majors; 
Johnson, Rhody-John L. Howell; Johnson, Charity-Jacob Shepherd; 
Johnson, Martha-E. J. Pruitt; Jaons, Mary Ann-Wilson Chambers; 
Jones, Susan-Robert Barnes; Jones, Nancy-Andrew Valentine; 
Jones, Judith-Lewis Clay; Jones, Martha Ann-William J. Smith; 
Jones, Mary E.-Bennet King; Jones, Mahonna-Samuel Jimmerson; 
Jones, Sally-Edmund Clav; Jones, Elizabeth-Bartimus Weeks; 
Jones, Nancy-Peyton Clay; Jones, Malinda C.-Larkin Powell; Jones, 
Mary-James Brown; Jones, Margurett-Edward Powell; Jones, Mary- 
John F. Brown; Jones, Caroline-David Walters; Jones, Fanny- Ja¬ 
cob Lerry; Jones, Elafair-Thomas Blackburn; Jones, N. E.-F. M. 
Meadows; Jones, Sarah A.-John W. Meadows; Jones, Mary C.-Wil- 
liam Long; Jones, Elizabeth-George Sarey; Jones, Elizabeth-James 
Kemp; Jones, Mary E.-William B. Carr; Jones, Winny-Anthony 
Seals; Jones, Matilda-Joseph Martin; Jones, Bethel-James Foun¬ 
tain; Jones, Sarah-Green Thompson; Jonson, Lucy-John McCarty; 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


363 


Jonson, Sarena Dulcima Catherine Caroline-Matthew Deason; 
Johnson, Mary F.-Jesse Jones; Jordan, Risey A. M.-Stephen I. 
Hathorne; Justice, Wilky Ann-William Folk; Justice, Emily-Simon 

H. Smith. 

Keel, Nancy-William Thomas; Real, Polly-Daniel Hall; Kemp, 
Mary-Reuben Hatcher; Kemp, Rena-John Jones; Kemp, Mary G.- 
John Davidson; Kemp, Sally-William Smith; Kemp, Lucy-Warren 
Stokes; Kerling, Sarah Ann-James Beck; King, Elizabeth-William 
McDaniel; King, Amy-Thos. Alcot; King, Caroline-Lawrenser Har- 
die; King, Sarah-John W. Cross; King, Mary-Jeremiah Garrott; 
King, Sintha-Isaac Brown; King, Martha D.-Thomas Smith; King- 
ery, Rebecca Ann-William R. Sanders; Kingery, Elizabeth-Francis 
Wadkins; Kingery, Ameba-William Ryle; Kinmon, Cassy-John 
Stephenson; Kinney, Nancy I.-Robert I. Daniel; Kirkland, Martha 

I. -James Temples; Kirkpatrick, Isabella-Madison Meeks; Kitchens, 
Sarah-John Savage; Kittles, Caroline-Jimpsey Thompson; Knight, 
Elafair-James Knight. 

Langford, Frances A.-Robert C. Carr; Lasseter, Eliza-James 
Lasseter; Lasseter, Nancy-Samuel Smith; Lasseter, Ann-Linson 
Walden; Lavender, Lana-A. J. Tindol; Lavender, Arrina-William 
Thomas McNeal; Lavender, Nancy-Enoch Allen; Lavender, Han¬ 
nah C.-Callaway Johnson; Lavender, Nancy-Thomas Allen; Lav¬ 
ender, Martha-Charles E. Nesmith; Lavender, Sarah-Wiley G. Al¬ 
len; Lavender, Mary-William Williams; Lawson, Elizabeth-Henry 
Howard; Lawson, Nancy-Jaines Lawson; Lawther, Mrs. Eliza S.- 
T. Carlton Coyle; Lee, Mahaly-Mark Measles; Lee, Harriot-Thomas 
Vann; Leslie, Sarah-Alien Hardie; Leslie, Sibby-Daniel Sanders; 
Leslie, Rachel-Robert Ridley; Leslie, Areillus-Henry Bloodworth; 
Leslie, Bethany-King Sanders; Lester, Elizabeth Ann-James Stev¬ 
ens; Lester, Margaret-Barney McAdams; Lester, Mary-Peter 
Roach; Lester, Martha-Joseph Stevens; Lewis, Peggy-Peter Daniel; 
Lewis, Elizabeth-Archibald Smith; Lewis, Mary-James Cannon; 
Lewis, Nancy-John A. Smith; Lindsey, Martha-Sophania John; 
Lindsey, Elizabeth-John Council; Lindsey, Rutha-James John; Lind¬ 
sey, Amanda-Thomas Frazier; Lindsey, Patsy-John Harrison; 
Lindsey, Unity-Martin Johnson; Lindsey, Unity-William Jones; 
Lisle, Margaret-Marion Ryle; Lord, Rose Ann-Benjamin Fordham; 
Lord, Lucretia-Mitchell Boon; Lord, Betsy-Mark Deese; Lord, 
Nancy-Fielding Ford; Lord, Milley-Daniel Boon; Lord, Milly-John 
Kingery; Lord, Nancy-M. O. Johnson; Lord, Nancy-Joel Deese; 
Lucas, Sabina-William Fisher; Lvle, Nancy-John Sanders. 

Macca, Bytha-James Shores; Macey, Rebecca-Wiley Shepherd; 
Mackey, Eliza-James Stephens; Mackey, Epsy I.-James Kinney; 
McCarty, Mary-Lawrence Thompson; McCarty, Rachel-Goalson 
Price; McCook, Sarah Ann-Joel E. Mercer; McCook, Mary-James 
Snow; McCook, Nancy J.-S. L. Patterson; McCook, Rachel-Green 
Dixon; McCook, Hesta-Edmund Culpepper; McCook, Martha-Wiley 
M. Pittman; McConnel, Milley C. C.-Miles R. Shepherd; McConnel, 
Emily-Thomas Majors; McConnel, Sarah-Lawrence Kitchens; Mc- 
Cland, Sarah-Asa Downing; McClendon, Susan-Benjamin R. Dav¬ 
idson; McClendon, Frances-David Delk; McCloud, Abigail-Vinson 
Hardie; McCullars, Rebecca-Elbert Collins; McCullars, Mary Ann- 
Charles Tipton; McCullars, Fatima-Thomas Smith; McDaniel, 
Polly Ann-William Long; McDonald, Elizabeth-Sherrod Peacock; 


364 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


McDonald, Mary Ann-David Mann; McDough, Lucinda-Thomas 
Hooks; McGowin, Lentia-Solomon P. Thompson; McGowin, Mary- 
William Butler; McIntyre, Mrs. Sarah C.-Henry E. Hyman; Mc¬ 
Intyre, Mary-R. G. Heyman; McKey, Nancy-John Edmunson; Mc- 
Kinsey, Sarah-Merrit Ethridge; McKinzie, Frances E.-Willey Hol¬ 
land; McLane, Katherine-Jeremiah Childs; McMurray, Ann-James 
Taylor; McNair, Susan-William Dowery; McNeal, Margaret-Wil- 
liam A. Gainey; McNeal, Flora-Moses Dykes; McNeal, Margaret- 
James H. Gainey; McNeal, Susan-James Williams; McNeal, Mary- 
Zodock Dykes; McRafee, Caroline-Thomas B. Harrison; McRaney, 
Helen-David Roberts; McRaney, Margaret Ann-Pearson Peacock; 
McSwan, Ann-John Fuller; McWilliams, Polly-J. Granthorne; Ma¬ 
jors, Mary-Mills Odum; Manderson, Jean-Samuel Sandford; Man- 
derson, Morgan-Stanmore Carr; Manderson, Susannah-Eli Wheeler; 
Manderson, Elizabeth-William Goldin; Manning, Mary Jane-Robert 
Ridley; Manning, Sarah Ann-Richard C. Gainey; Manson, Mar- 
garet-John Chumming; Marchant, Rebecca-Daniel Aids; Marrice, 
Dicy-Harry Hardison; Marshall, Mary-Edward Dounie; Marshall, 
Netty-Benjamin Dounie; Martin, Mary-John Fowler; Martin, 
Nancy-William Nesmith; Martin, Saphrony-Johnathan Ryle; Mash, 
Sally-William Dobbage; Mason, Didemma-George Brack; Mathis, 
Reubina-John Dixon; Mathis, Elizabeth-John M. Cannon; Mathews, 
Frances-John Mathews; Matt, Nancy-Archibald Badgett; Matthews, 
Sarah Ann-Alexander Shores; Meadows, Sarah-Daniel Hicks; 
Meadows, Susanna-John R. Patterson; Meadows, Shady-Isaac L. 
John; Meadows, Mrs. Alley-Jacob Driskill; Meadows, Mary-John W. 
Stephens; Meadows, Darcus-Henry W. Bloodworth; Measles, Milly- 
Collins. Clark; Mehaffy, Ruby Ann-W. L. Holland; Melphin, Eliza- 
beth-Vincent Tharp; Melvin, Janie-Jenand McSwain; Mercer, Del- 
phia-Charles T. Johnson; Meredith, Nancy-Daniel Hooks; Meredith, 
Mary Ann-Willis Allen; Meredith, Rebecca-William Cooper; Mere¬ 
dith, Nancy-William Noles; Meredith, Catherine-Joseph Peacock; 
Merredith, Mary-Robert C. Carrol; Messer, Nicy-Freeman I. Cross; 
Methvin, Nancy-Green B. Hughes; Metts, Amanda-Jacob Dupree; 
Metts, Susan-Seaborn Taylor; Miles, Lavina-Samuel Brady; Miller, 
Allice R.-John R. Rains; Miller, Elizabeth-James Deese; Miller, 
Mary-Elisha Crumpton; Miller, Mary-Rinchin Radford; Miller, 
Laury-John Herrington; Miller, Elizabeth-John Gawley; Mims, 
Temperance-Seth Dickinson; Mims, Malinda-Kindred Jones; Minter, 
Susan-Charles Collins; Mitchell, Charity-John Ross; Mixon, Risey- 
Zacariah Cambess; Mixon, Mary-William Hathorne; Moore, Re¬ 
becca-William H. Slappey; Moore, Mary Elizabeth-Henry S. Blood- 
worth; Moore, Nelly-James Hays; Moore, Mary Elizabeth-John Cal- 
lahorn; Moore, Jane-William Oxley; Moore, Amsey C.-Archibald 
Brewner; Moore, Francis-James Faulk; Moore, Nancy M.-Daniel 
P Pittman; Moore, Martha-John Lindsey; Moore, Martha-Isaac 
Lindsey; Montgomery, Nancy-Gideon Stewart; Montgomery, Sally- 
Thomas Boazman; Morre, Airy P.-Charles G. Tipton; Moss, Sarah- 
David Williams; Kukky, Sarah-Peter Jones; Murchison, Martha C.- 
John W. Clark; Murcason, Jane-Steven Lord; Murcurson, Virginia 
L-Iverson Cannon; Murkinson, Ella G.-James Payne; Murphy, 
Elizabeth C.-William C. Goldin; Murphy, Serinda E.-Samuel B. 
Webb; Murphy, Martha C.-Newman Pound; Murphey, Elizabeth- 
James Kinney; Murphy, Matilda-Marshall Odum; Murphy, M. D.- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


365 


Eli H. Shepherd; Murphy, Frances-John Eady; Murray, Piety-Wil¬ 
liam Brady; Murren, Ansey Delaney Virginia Ann Macy Hawkins- 
John Gay; Murry, Vienna-Allen Evanson; Myars, Elizabeth-John 
Passmore; Myres, Margaret-Briant Ethridge; Myres, Elizabeth- 
Green W. Barber; Myres, Martha-Coalson Copelin; Myres, Marga- 
ret-Duncan Steely; Myres, Nancy-Bryant Ethridge; Myrick, Lu¬ 
cinda-William Barlow 1 ; Myrick, Caroline-Josiah Jones. 

Nailers, Elifair-William S. Beck; Nalus, Lewryann-John Blood- 
worth; Nalus, Mary-James Webb; Naples, Sarah Ann-Elijah 
Mathes; Napper, Julia Ann-John Tipton; Napper, Harriet-Samuel 
Hill; Napper, Malinda-Robert Bland; Nappers, Celia-John Brady; 
Nesbit, Minerva-Jacob C. Shepherd; Nesbitt, Sarah-William 
Stevens; Nesmith, Jane E.-T. R. Dixon; Nesmith, Jane-Richard 
Martin; Newberry, Anny-West Salter; Newmalin, Caroline-H. Good¬ 
man; Nicholson, Rosena-William Vincent; Night, Martha-John 
Cook; Nobles, Susan-John Pearse; Nole, Nancy-Wiley Vaughn; 
Noles, Nancy-Wiley Pearson; Norwood, Rachel-Needham Pearse; 
Norwood, Maty-William Lindsey; Norwood, Lucy Ann-Starling 
Stuckey; Norwood, Isabel-Eamund Lindsey; Nush, Martha-Elijah 
Granade; Nulard, Lucinda-James M. Collins. 

Oats, Polly-William Oats; O’Banion, Eliza Ann Elizabeth-Jacob 
M. Freeman; O’Banion, Martha Jane-Lewis Dean; O’Banion, Ma- 
tilda-Joseph Adkins; O’Bannon, Leo Lydia-John T. Webster; O’Ban- 
non, Frances-David M. Clay; O’Bannon, Sarah-Matthew Carswell; 
O’Bannon, Sarah-Abraham Johnson; Oliff, Polly-Alien Robinson; 
Oliver, Eady-John Justice; Outlaw, Marion-Ranson Payne; Oxley,. 
Frances-John Pickle. 

Pace, Serinah Ann R.-Robert C. Bostwick; Pace, Lucinda H.-John 
M. Powell; Padget, Permalia Ann A.-Moses M. McDaniel; Pales,. 
Elizabeth-Elisha James; Palmer, Nancy Hannah-James F. McBeth; 
Parish, Appa-Green Brown; Parish, Sarah-Isaac Coulson; Parish, 
Charity-Seaborn Shenholster; Parker, Ann J.-Lavard Pearse; Park¬ 
er, Frances-Jesse Parker; Parker, Elafair-William Knight; Parker, 
Frances-Andrew I. Thompson; Parker, Nicessa Ann Elizabeth-Ben- 
jamin C. Jones; Parks, Caroline-Leroy Hooks; Passmore, Savannah- 
William D. Mathis; Passmore, Martha-James Davis; Passmore, 
Leweaser-William I. Smith; Passmore, Ireny-Wiley Holland; Pass- 
more, Suanna-Joshua Hawkins; Patterson, Mary-Willis Bell; Pat¬ 
terson, Amsy J.-Benjamin F. Etheridge; Patterson, Rutha-Jethrie 
Billings; Patterson, Emily M.-James Hughs; Patterson, Matilda- 
Thomas Jones; Pattashall, Betsy Ann-Francis M. Bush; Pattishall, 
Esther-George Herndon; Paul, Elizabeth-Lynch Porter; Paul, Mar¬ 
tha Ann-Kelly Jones; Pace, Anny-George McCullars; Paul, Hesta- 
Perry Carrol; Paulk, Priscilla-Ellis Harville; Paulk, Melissa-Elisha 
Price; Paulk, Edna-William A. Hall; Paulk, Nancy M.-William 
Hooks; Payne, Mary E.-William McGowin; Payne, Frances-James 
M. Hoover; Payne, Elizabeth-Isaac Goodman; Payne, Mary-Andrew 
Dominy; Peacock, Mary Ann-James Hoover; Peacock, Priscilla-John 
Hoover; Peacock, Nancy-Wiley Etheridge; Peacock, Eliza-James 
Bush; Pearce, Lydia-David Smith; Pearse, Martha-James Lang¬ 
ford; Pearse, Caroline-Jessie Boon; Pearse, Mary-Wiley Pearson; 
Pearson, Sarah-Wright Noles: Pearson, Polly-Joel Rivers; Pearson, 
Elizabeth-Jessie Brown; Pearson, Mary-Dexter Rozer; Perkins, 
Leanvisia-William Hardie; Perry, Mariah-Isaiah Holmes; Philips, 


366 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Mariah-Jacob Ogburn; Philips, Mary M.-G. H. C. Reed; Phillips, 
Jane-James McArthur; Phillips, Mary-Jesse Lord; Phrasure, Jane- 
John Gillespie; Picket, Nancy-Benjamin Kemp; Pickle, Elizabeth- 
Salather Fordham; Pickle, Amanda W.-William J. Lord; Pickle, 
Sarah-Augustus Reese; Pickle, Mary-Limuel Taylor; Pickles, 
Nancy-Berrian Chambers; Pickrin, Mary-Lewie Andrews; Pickrin- 
Elizabeth-Lewis Fountain; Pickrin, Nancy-Henry Goff; Pierce, 
Sarah Ann-Ignatius Ward; Pierce, Rebecca-Joshua Stevens; Pierce, 
Nancy I.-William A. Ogburn; Pierce, Melessa-William Boon; Pil¬ 
grim, Nancy-Joseph Meadows; Pittman, Elizabeth-James Jackson; 
Pittman, Martha-John Lord; Pittman, Elisa-Wiley Jones; Pittman- 
Martha-James Hughs; Pittman, Jensy-Benjamin Hughs; Pitts, Pru¬ 
dence E.-James G. Radford; Polk, Catherine-Philip Ragan; Pool, 
Elizabeth-Needham Brown; Porter, Elizabeth-Robert Justice; Port¬ 
er, Jane-George Dixon; Porter, Sarah S.-John Hoover; Porter, Mary- 
William Brown; Porter, Mary Jane-Benjamin H. Brack; Porter, 
Eliza Ann Elizabeth-Alexander Stuckey; Potts, Amanda-Josiah W. 
Hill; Powell, Elizabeth-Jesse Pitman; Powell, Mary-Joseph Porter; 
Price, Elizabeth-Robert M. Hawthorne; Price, Rebecca-John Van- 
landingham; Pricket, Parneter-William Pen; Perkins, Mary-Wyatt 
Meredith; Prestwood, Nancy-William A. Goff; Prewit, Drucilla-Bur- 
rel Johnson; Putlaw, Frances-Stephen Kent; Pugh, Sethy-Edwin 
Valentine. 

Railey, Cintha-Thomas Reed; Raines, P. E. R.-Nathaniel A. Cars¬ 
well; Rains, Suannah-Miles Bloodworth; Rains, Martha-Thomas 
Dunn; Ramage, Lucy-James Thompson; Rawls, Sarah Ann-Lewis 
Butler; Rawls, Margaret-John Dormany; Reaves, Mary-Burrel 
Mays; Record, Leany-William Talbot; Reed, Isabella-Zachariah 
Notes; Reeves, Sarah-Hyrom Jones; Reins, Sarah L.-C. T. Davis; 
Reins, Laura A.-C. T. Davis; Revels, Mary Ann E.-James Brady; 
Ridley, Irene-John W. Hooks; Ridley, Darkis-James Simpson; Rid¬ 
ley, Sarah-Alien Spears; Ridley, Martha Ann-James F. Hogan; 
Didley, Milley-William Hancock; Ridggill, Polly-Samuel L. Pat¬ 
terson; Rigby, Luanda-Zenus Fordham; Rigsby, Lydia-Jacob Du¬ 
pree; Riley, Matilda-Underlull Davis; Rine, Margaret-James John¬ 
son; Rivers, Louisa E.-John R. Bragg; Rivers, Gilla-Elijah C. Ho¬ 
gan; Rivers, Winnafred-John McArthur; Rivers, Sarah-James 
Lewis; Rivers, Martha-John Benson; Rivers, Mary-James Branan; 
Roberts, Susan-Richard Bernard; Roberts, Susan-William Kelly; 
Roberts, Mary-David Lawson; Roberts, TabYtha-William Lawson; 
Robinson, Martha-Alexander Passmore; Robinson, Epsy-B. F. 
Brady; Rodgers, Eliza-William Davis; Rogers, Mary-Benjamin 
Bridges; Rogers, Lydia-James Rutherford; Rogers, Rebecca-David 
Lawson; Rogers, Polly-Nathan Jackson; Rogers, Caroline-Daniel 
Stuckey; Rogers, Caroline-James Norton; Rogers, Sarah-William 
Lawson; Rogers, Isabel-John Harris; Rogers, Martha A. W.-Isaac 
Wheeler; Rogers, Amantha-Benjamin Vinson; Rooks, Mrs. Elifair- 
James Robinson; Ross, Betty-Howell King; Ross, Matilda-Alex- 
ander Patterson; Ross, Suannah-Alford Williams; Ross, Mary-Wil¬ 
liam Williams; Ross, Sarah-George Warren; Ross, Fanny-William 
Hoover; Ross, Darcus-John H. Hatcher; Ross, Catherine-Isaac John¬ 
son; Ross, Nancy-Rena H. Smith; Rossals, Margaret-William Pettis; 
Rossie, Frances E.-William S. Jessup; Rozar, Siliner-David Butler; 
Rudd, Elizabeth-Caleb A. Jones; Rustin, Sarah-William Goldin; 
Rutherford, Kissiah-David Fann; Rutland, Lizar-William R. Van- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


367 


landingham; Ryals, Priscilla-John Gardner; Ryals, Mariah-Russell 
McCarty; Ryals, Sarah Ann-John Lewis; Rye, Lucinda-Thomas 
Porter; Rye, Rose Ann-Dixon Rogers; Ryle, Mary J.-Samuel J. Gee; 
Ryle, Gilla C.-Charles H. Carter; Ryle, Mary-George Thomas; Ryles, 
Mary C.-Andrew J Champion; Ryles, Gracy-....psey Ethridge; Ryles, 
Sarah-Briton Carrington; Ryles, Harriet-James Hardie. 

Sanders, Sarah-Green Chandler; Sanders, Martha-Hugh Butler; 
Sanders, Elizabeth-Samuel S. Etheridge; Sanders, Malona-James 
Lord; Sanders, Mary-Peter Vanlandingham; Sanders, Avelern- 
James Lord; Sanders, Sarah-Wilson Barrentine; Sanders, M. A. L.- 
W. C. Flemister; Sanders, Hetty-William Bloodworth; Sanders, 
Winna-Davis Graham; Sanders, Elizabeth-Wiley Hancock; Sanders, 
Mary-Ezekiel Waters; Sanders, Martha-William Holder; Sanders, 
Mary-Nicholas Jenkins; Sanders, Aramanter-Joseph M. Lord; San¬ 
ders, Martha-Warren W. Dykes; Sanders, Elizabeth-James Den¬ 
ning; Sawer, Elizabeth-Bailes Carr; Scarborough, Leah-E. C. 
Pierce; Scott, Sarah Jane-Lewis B. Manderson; Scott, Martha- 
Washington Kinney; Searcy, Ada-Jeptha Bullock; Searcy, Eliza¬ 
beth-James Bullock; Shaw, Catherine-Jesse J. Marshall; Sheffield, 
E.-Bently Outlaw; Shelly, Martha-Richard Berry; Shelly, Mary- 
Quin Horn; Shenholster, Martha Eveline-Joseph Blount; Shen- 
holster, Elizabeth E.-John C. Etheridge; Shenholster, Ann-Edmund 
Etheridge; Shenholster, Sarah Ann-William H Daniel; Shenholster, 
Martha I.-John W. Scott; Shepherd, Elifair-Wesley Vanlanding¬ 
ham; Shepherd, Sarah-Thomas Smith; Shepherd, Charity-Samuel 
Vanlandingham; Shepherd, Hawley-Dewry Clark; Shepherd, Mar¬ 
tha Matilda-Goalson Reed; Shepherd, Quilly-Elbert Beall; Shep¬ 
herd, Harriet-Joseph Etheridge; Shepherd, Mary A.-Aber J. Helton; 
Shepherd, Louiser P.-James Simpson; Shepherd, Mary-Maurice J. 
Martin; Shepherd, Nancy-David Pennington; Shepherd, Polly-Mal- 
ci.jah Doster; Shivers, Harriet-Samuel B. Waller; Shows, Charity- 
William Gunn; Sills, Mary-McNova Mayo; Simpson, Suzannah-Silas 
Leslie; Simpson, Manda-William C. Taylor; Simpson, Eliza-Rich- 
ard Clark; Simpson, Delilah-David Wheeler; Simpson, Serson-Ellis 
French; Simmons, Elizabeth-Nathaniel Thompson; Skipper, Sarah- 
Daniel Kingery; Skipper, Winifred-James Hartley; Skipper, 
Rachel-Joel Hartley; Skipper, Martha E.-Riley M. Hartley; Skipper, 
Mary Ann-Bently Outlaw; Skipper, Ama Ann-Garrott Nesmith; 
Slaughter, Pathony-Russell Hitson; Slappey, Henrietta-John Brew¬ 
er; Slade, Elizabeth-William F. Jones; Slade, Rebecca-Jesse McKay; 
Smallwood, Mary-John Rivers; Smith, Margaret J, I.-James A. Dav¬ 
idson; Smith, Mary L.-R. I. Delk; Smith, Elizabeth-James Bail- 
flower; Smith, Mary A.-M. L. Burney ; Smith, Martha A.-David M. 
C. D. Hogan; Smith, Susan-James Smith; Smith, Mrs. Gilley-James 
I. Thomas; Smith, Mary Ann-John Lord; Smith, Susan-Billington 
Garrett; Smith, Lucinda-John Brack; Smith, Winney-Hardy Rich¬ 
ardson; Smith, Polly-Daniel Hooks; Smith, Elizabeth-William 
Pierce; Smith, Sarah-Elijah Kinney; Smith, Eliza-Charles Mere¬ 
dith; Smith, Sarah-David Adams; Smith, Pheby S.-William L. 
John; Smith, Sena-John Mallaprop; Smith, Nancy A. C.-Thomas W. 
Dean; Smith. Epsy-Robert Jackson; Smith, Susan-Lewis McCullars; 
Smith, Cily-Seaborn Ethridge; Smith, Mary J.-John V. Chewing; 
Smith, Lydia Ann-Wm. B. Allice; Smith, Ady-Benjamin Henderson; 
Smith, Lethy-Zachariah Collins; Smith, Martha Ann-John M. Eady; 


368 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Smith, Martha-James Penderson; Smith, Falby-Madison Waters; 
Smithy, Mary-Joel W. Fowler; Snow, Sarah Jane-Daniel C. Day; 
Solomon, Mary I.-Abel I. Flemister; Spears, Martha Ann-Caleb S. 
Brown; Spears, Martha-Edmund Dixon; Spears, Margaret Ann- 
Joel Brown; Spears, Mary-Wade Hampton; Spears, Nancy-Benja¬ 
min F. Pittman; Spears, Kitty-John Napper ; Spears, Rosy-Drewry 
Napper; Spears, Pansey D.-John Horton; Spence, Amanda L.-Wil- 
liam Etheridge; Stanley, E. F.-John T. Hughs; Stanley, Mary A.- 
Alexander H. Cumming; Stanley, Jane E.-John F. Burney; Stanley, 
Susan E.-Jesse I. Green; Starley, Lydia M.-William Meeks; Starly, 
Frances E.-John R. Rains; Statham, Nancy-William Hall; Stephen, 
Sutton-Wife’s name not given; Stephens, Eady-Isaac Smith; Steph¬ 
ens, Elizabeth-William McDaniel; Stephens, Gracy-John Garrett; 
Stephens, Elizabeth-William W. Spivey; Stephens, Jane-Ira Wheel¬ 
er; Stephens, Elizabeth-Bryant Tindoll; Stephens, Mary-James A. 
Brown; Stephens, Elinder-Hyram Meadows; Stephens, Luisa-A. J. 
Fountain; Stephens, Cordilla-Matthew Cobb; Stephens, Elizabeth- 
Thomas Allen; Stephenson, Elizabeth-....Ison Sanders; Stinson, Eliz- 
abeth-Wilson Sanders; Stephenson, I. C. A. C.-Alfred Brown; Stev¬ 
ens, Rebecca-John G. Thompson; Stevens, Leatha-Madison Walters; 
Stevens, Mary-R. 0. Echols; Stevens, Leatha-Redding Thigpen; 
Stevens, Mary-John W Hall; Stevens, Elizabeth-Thomas P. Smith; 
Stevens, Sarah-Joel Hoover; Stevens, Senai-John T. Parker; Stev¬ 
ens, A. E.-Daniel Brewer; Stevens, Appa-Jesse Sanders; Stevens, 
Mary-Wiley Stevens; Stevenson, Lucy-John Green; Stevenson, Del¬ 
la-Jesse Simpson; Stewart, Jane-Joel McClendon; Stinson, Charity- 
Reuben Waters; Stinson, Della-David Ridley; Street, Mary Ann- 
James M. Ashley; Stubbs, Hannah-Thomas Underwood; Stubbs, 
Mary-John H. Wales; Stubbs, Nancy-Robert Hatcher; Stubbs, Eliza- 
Isaac Stephens; Stuckey, Martha J.-William Bush; Stuckey, Sarah- 
Robert Jenkins; Stuckey, Mary-Sandy Eubanks; Summer, Mary J.- 
James G. Radford; Summerford, Jane-Thomas J. Batson; Summer- 
ford, Emily-Ambrose Porter; Sumner, Carie E.-R. W. Adkins; 
Swiney, Sally-William Meadows. 

Tabb, Rosa-Bird S. Gilbert; Tait, Malinda-Zachariah B. Har*< 
grove; Tarpley, Martha-Luellin M. Robinson; Tarpley, Mary C.- 
William F Roberts; Tarpley, Clara H.-Merrymon P. Herndon; Tat- 
am, Elizabeth-William F. O’Bannon; Taturn, Mary-John Passmore; 
Taylor, Martha-John Stuckey; Taylor, Frances Ann-Washington 
Taylor; Taylor, Sally-Wiley Cobb; Taylor, Elizabeth-John J. Bow¬ 
ers; Taylor, Polly-Thomas Baker; Taylor, Mary-Exum J. Billarns; 
Taylor, Nicey-Isaiah Dykes; Taylor, Charlotte-Henry Shores; Tem¬ 
ples, Sarah A. E.-Isaac W. Davis; Temples, Emaline-Thomas B. 
Underwood; Temples, Sarah-Lawson Criswell; Temples, Martha- 
William Gresham; Terry, Mary-William Wadsworth; Thigpen, 
Sarah-William Bruiner; Thomas, Elizabeth-Daniel Thomas; Thom¬ 
as, Lucinda-Jerusalem Shepherd; Thomas, Sarah-John Wry; Thom¬ 
as, Nancy-William A. Stuckey; Thomas, Mary-Allison Stuckey; 
Thomas, Sarah-William Rogers; Thomas, Matilda-Joseph Wry; 
Thompson, Mary Ann-J. T. McCullars; Thompson, Mary-John Nor¬ 
wood; Thompson, Elizabeth-Mark Thrower; Thompson, Mary-Zack- 
ens Lord; Thompson, Elizabeth-John Herndon; Thompson, Rebecca- 
Aaron Davis; Thompson, Mary Abb-Briton Price; Thomson, Easter 
Ann-Noah McGowin; Thomson, Martha Melina-John M. Garrett; 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


369 


Thomson, Fanny-Whitmel Christopher; Tice, Tampy-Edward Ryles; 
Timry, Harriet-Isham Churchill; Tindal, Elizabeth-John McConnel; 
Tindal, Martham-Elias Ford; Tiner, Sarah-William Shepherd; 
Tinney, Rebecca-Ezekiel Knight; Tinney, Elizabeth-Sachariah 
Noles; Tinney, Sarah-Charles Webb; Tipton, Elizabeth Jane-David 
McCullars; Tipton, Sarah-John W. McCullars; Todd, Rebecca-Wil- 
liam A. Vincent; Todd, Mary-Henry Hooks; Trebble, Priscilla-Ab- 
raham Kingery; Tribble, Qun V.-C. C. Kingery; Truit, Tiny-Andrew 
Jackson; Tucker, Mearonin-George M. Kemp. 

Underwood, Dorcas-John C. Mackey; Underwood, Sarah-James 
Ward; Underwood, Sarah E.-Thomas W. Pennington; Underwood, 
Malinda-John G. Smith; Underwood, Nicy-William Etheridge; Up¬ 
ton Elvina Ann-Century Ross; Ussery, Lucy Ann-Valentine Crum¬ 
ley; Ussery, Susannah-Presly H. Holly ;Ussery, Levina-James Dixon. 

Valentine, Cinthy-John C. Pattinshall; Valentine, Sarah-Robert 
Taylor; Valentine, Elizabeth-John King; Vandever, Mary A.-Hardy 
Lavender; Vanlandingham, Clarissa-Jesse A. Sanders; Vanlanding- 
ham, Mary R.-Jesse Lord; Vanlandingham, Celia-T. M. Freeman; 
Vanlandingham, Francis-Iverson L. Harville; Vanlandingham, Anna 
Sofiah-Jesse Lord; Vann, Mary Ann-James Clark; Vann, Martha- 
Love Register; Vann, Nancy-William Cook; Vaughn, Elizabeth- 
Joseph Churchwell; Vaughn, Elizabeth-Mitchell Ethridge; Vaughn, 
Eliza-Wiley Meredith; Vaughn, Mary Ann-John R. Garrott; 
Vaughn, Nancy-John Jones; Vaughn, Mahala-Jesse Sanders; Veal, 
Elizabeth A.-Theopolus Hardie; Vincent, Rebecca-William Hoover; 
Vush, Elizabeth N.-William L. Walden. 

Walker, Martha I.-James Mixon; Walker, Nancy-Jacob Gilbert; 
Wall, Rebecca-John Hoover; Walters, Lydeon Matilda-Richard R. 
McConnell; Walters, Mary Ann-Jackson McCullars; Walters, Har- 
riet-John Stevens; Walters, Jane Ann-William P. Hogan; Walters, 
Sarah Ann-John H. Hartlev; Walters, Martha-Elbert Walters; 
Ward, Susan-Richmond I. Dykes; Ward, Elizabeth-Renching J. 
Johnson; Ward, Sarah-William Thomas; Ward, Mrs. Sarah A.- 
Dennis Mercer; Ward, Elizabeth-John C. Parker; Ward, Mary Ann- 
Hugh McCurvey; Ward, Rebecca-Richard Dykes; Ward, Annie-John 
W. Kern; Wadsworth, Polly-Benjamin Haywood; Wardsworth, 
Nancy-David Barlow; Waters, Janey Ann F.-William D. Logan; 
Waters, Elitha-Jehu H. Davidson; Watkins, Amanda-Johnson King¬ 
ery; Watson, Minna M.-William A. Crumley; Weaver, Rebecca-Ja- 
cob Dover; Weaver, Lilla-William B. Bales; Weaver, Nancy-Ben¬ 
jamin Howell; Webb, Frances-William Fountain; Webb, Eliza- 
Moses Sutton; Webb, Martha-James Goodman; Webb, Sally-Eliiah 
Cook; Webb, Sarah-Michael Isler; Webb, Augustine-John Cook; 
Welch, Eliza-Alexander Shaw; Wetherby, Mary-John Eady; Whea¬ 
ton, Ann V.-Richard C. Todd; Wheeler, Elizabeth-Timothy Blood- 
worth; Wheeler, Conilla A. S. I.-Robert Adams; Wheeler, Sarah- 
David Hudson; Wheeler, Rebecca C.-William Holland; Wheeler, 
Linna-Linson Walden; Wheeler, Lucinda-Shelby P. Etheridge; 
Wheeler, Frances-John Sanders; Wheeler, Rebecca-Miles Blood- 
worth; Wheeler, Caroline-Jesse Bales; Wheeler, Sarah-George Hern¬ 
don; Whitaker, Mary-Alphons Beall; Whitaker, Nancy G.-Nathan 
Horn;/Whitaker, G. A.-E. I. Massey; Whipple, Mildred R.-Nimrod 
Brown; White, Nancy-John W Hyde; Whitehurst, Louisa J.-E. F. 
M. Callaway; Whitehurst, Eliza-Zackariah Brown; Whitehurst, Jac- 


370 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


han-Isaac C. West; Wilburn, Martha-Luke J. Weeks; Wilcox, Zilpha- 
Morrel Baker; Wiliby, Elizabeth-Brazil Bell; Willace, Pensy-Wil- 
liam Ross; Williams, Thaney-James Cumbest; Williams, Elizabeth- 
Richard Wadkins; Williams, Mary-William Waters; Williams, Ma- 
linda-Ezekiel Attaway; Williams, Ammey-William Fennel; Wil¬ 
liams, Martha-Jackson A. Collins; Williams, Mary J.-William Gunn; 
Williams, Mary Ann-Joseph Davidson; Williams, Barshaba-James 
Smith; Williams, Mary-Jefferson Sanders; Williams, Nancy-Wil¬ 
liam Rogers; Williamson, Mary-Jackson W. Dunn; Williamson, Ly- 
dia-Edward Sills; Willis, Rebecca-Daniel Spears; Willis, Margaret 
S.-Joseph N. I. Goldin; Willis, Adaline W.-Richard J. Bachelor; 
Willis, Sarah-Coleman Vaughn; Willis, Adeline W.-W. H. H. Bailey; 
Willis, Mary Ann-James M. Batson; Wills, Sary Ann-David Mc- 
Murrin; Winderweedle, Susan-Porter Faulk; Wise, Harriet Eliza- 
James Franklin Barber; Wise, Martha-John E. Hooks; Wise, Char- 
lotte-Frederick Reese; Wise, Mary B.-Alfread Branon; Wise, Penny- 
Jeremiah Anderson; Wise, Mary Ann-William Cobb; Witt, Eliza- 
Nathaniel Hughs; Witt, Mary E.-Wm. D. Barfield; Witt, Rachel- 
John Nichals; Wise, Mary Ann-John Cook; Wood, Missouri-Thadeus 
Brown; Wood, Rebecca-Sevin Lavender; Wood, Theresa-John M. 
Lord; Woodall, Catherine-James Spurlock; Woodward, Mary-Sam- 
uel Jones; Woolsey, Carolin-James L. Vincent; Wright, Eliza Jane- 
Benjamin Fountain; Wright, Nancy-John Ross; Wright, Sarah Ann- 
John Steely; Wrye, Martha-John R. Hooks; Wynn, Georgiann-Wil¬ 
liam Chandler; Wynn, Tabitha-John Lord; Wynn, Arenna H.-Wil¬ 
liam K. Horn; Wynn, Violet-Joseph Ramage; Wynn, Martha-Jam.es 
R. Thompson; Wynn, Lucinda-John E. Duncan; Wynn, Beurter- 
Elbert Davis; Wynne, Amanda N.-Seaborn Tipton; Wynne, Mar¬ 
garet-Green Sanders. 

Yarborough, Nancy-William Chapman; Yerty, Anny-Abraham 
Coleson; Young, Polly-William C. H. Branan; Young, Elsy M.- 
John M. Peacock; Young, Tabitha-Littleton Branan; Young, Abra 
Ann-Needham Brown; Young, Nancy-William Smallwood; Young¬ 
blood, Sarah-James Doke; Yurner, Elizabeth-David Measles. 


CELEBRATION OF FOURTH OF JULY AT IRWINTON 1831 
Clipping from Georgia Journal, July 14, 1831 

Pursuant to previous arrangements a large number of citizens 
of Wilkinson County assembled at the Courthouse to celebrate the 
anniversary of American Independence; and from thence marched 
in a procession to the Methodist Chapel when an address was made 
to the throne of Grace by Rev. Samuel Wright. The Declaration 
of Independence was read bv John B. Hicks, and an oration de¬ 
livered by Dr. George K. Holloway. The company then retired to 
Mr. Beall’s tavern, and then partook of a sumptuous dinner fur¬ 
nished for the occasion. After the cloth was removed the following 
Regular Toasts were drank with great harmony and unanimity 
of feeling: 

1. The Day—-W hen our country, like the Roman Nation, publicly 
displayed the jewels of which she is proud. 

2. The Heroes of the Revolution—T hey fought and struggled 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


371 


long and hard for liberty which in descent to their children has been 
preserved uncorrupted and holy, undefiled and pure. 

3. Washington and Franklin —The Pressman and Compositor 
of the work of the American Revolution, the former worked off the 
enemies of Independence, the latter aided in composing those lines 
which formed the basis of the liberty we enjoy. Their works shall 
never be erased from our country. 

4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams —Parallels of greatness 
in the fount case of American worthies; on the Fourth of July, 
1776, they pledged their lives and their fortunes for their country’s 
good; on the Fourth of July, 1826, they resigned them to the Author 
of their existence. 

5. Andrew Jackson —President of the United States. 

6. James Madison —His name needs no eulogy. 

7. James Monroe —Shame to the Country and Virginia in par¬ 
ticular, that one of her most faithful sons should have to pass the 
evening of his life in penury and want. May Congress speedily grant 
him ample justice and Virginia render him independent and happy. 

8. LaFayette —The Hero of the Revolution, thrice the Champion 
of liberty, and the friend of man. Well has he remembered the 
principles of Washington. To his moderation and prudence France 
owes her present greatness and Louis Phillippe his Crown. 

9. Agriculture, Commerce and Manufacture —Three great 
founts of Columbian industry; an equal distribution of protection 
to each will secure to the country at large national prosperity. 

10. Poland —Long has she borne the oppression of the Northern 
Autocrat; may she soon bear upon her escutcheon of liberty, and 
“assume among the powers of the earth” that station which her 
gallant deeds entitle her to. 

11. Education —The forming and preserving power, by which, 
whatever is immortal in man is made more worthy of an immortal 
destiny. 

12. The Press —The stay and lever of popular governments; the 
Palladium of our rights and liberties—may it unlock the bars of 
ignorance and oppression; and cast abroad the rays of truth and 
toleration. 

13. Woman —The only tyrants that man is not authorized to resist. 
Volunteers: 

By Major John Hatcher, President of the day: The Nullifiers — 
May they be compelled to ride on packsaddles made of thorns, placed 
upon frying pans and gridirons. 

By Jesse Pittman, Esq., Vice-President of the day: The Perpet¬ 
uity of the Union, and the interest and sovereignty of Georgia. The 
first is secure with Andrew Jackson at its head; the other we be¬ 
lieve will be promoted and zealously guarded by Wilson Lumpkin, 
should he be elected Governor; to do which, let all parties, without 
regard to party feeling, unite. 

By John B. Hicks, Reader of the day: May the sons of freedom 
who have met to celebrate this day do it in a becoming manner, 
and may the factions of each past year be consigned to the tomb 
of forgetfulness. 

By Dr. George K. Holloway, Orator: The New Cabinet. Endowed 
with more talent, may it possess more wisdom. 

By Daniel M. Hall, Esq. The Heroes of the Revolution, May our 


372 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Country, in the pride of her greatness, never forget those who laid 
the foundations of her greatness. 

By Robert Hatcher, Esq. The Abolition of the Penitentiary Sys¬ 
tem, A better system of Internal Improvement and a speedy acquire¬ 
ment of the Cherokee Land. 

By Benjamin Exum, Esq. Andrew Jackson, The President of the 
United States—the patriotic hero of his country—the savior of 
Orleans. May he never be forgotten by the sons of Liberty. 

By Col. Seaborn Delk— A Just and Equal . System of Taxation, 
without which the noble maxim of the Romans: “Never to Despair 
of the Republic,” will soon cease to console the people of the South. 

By Dr. Wm. G. Little— Troupites and Clarkites, May they coalesce 
and by a mutual decomposition, a new body politic be formed. 

By Dr. E. K. Heath, The Brave Commander of the Poles, May his 
labors be crowned with success and Poland crowned with liberty. 

By Jeremiah Beall, Wilkinson County, May the political senti¬ 
ments of its citizens ever be like its climate, pure and uncontami¬ 
nated by the fever of party spirit and prejudice. 

By Samuel Peace, Marshall: Independence. May the enthusiastic 
spirit of ’76 ever cherish the liberty of America until all the things 
shall be consigned to the quietus of oblivion. 

By John O’Banion, Wilson Lumpkin, the Honest Politician, the 
Able Statesman, the Favorite of Wilkinson County. May he be our 
next Governor. 

By Abner Hicks, May the Spirit of Troup and Clark be buried 
in the best of talent and never be raised in the minds of ignorance. 

By John Smith, Esq. The Memory of Jasper and McDonald. The 
Penitentiary system, May it be speedily abolished. Haynes for 
Governor and the Cherokee Land. 

By Captain Thomas Gilbert, Party Spirit, That which Washing¬ 
ton, Jefferson and Jackson repudiated let no man who claims to be 
a patriot embrace. 

By Charles Culpepper, The Polanders, May success crown the 
efforts of the brave Poles and may the genius of liberty direct her 
armies to victory and glory until all her enemies perish by the 
sword, or sink in the waves of the Vistula. 

By B. E. Hall, Esq. Andrew Jackson, May he succeed in his sec¬ 
ond election for President. The Penitentiary building—as it has 
been abolished by fire may the system be abolished by the Legisla¬ 
ture. The Cherokee Territory—the right of Georgia; may she speedi¬ 
ly acquire. 

By James Ross, Esq. Party Spirit, The curse of a free people. It 
has been denounced by Washington, Jefferson and Jackson. It should 
not have a place in the bosom of Americans. 

By E. Ridley: 

O Pope, Had I thy satire’s darts, 

Pd give the scoundrels their deserts 
And rip their hollow, rotten hearts, 

And tell aloud 

Their juggling, hocus pocus arts, 

To cheat the crowd. 

By Martin Witt: Mav the wing of the Eagle of America spread 
oyer Great Britain with power to take the Lion by the head and 
pick out his eyes. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


373 


By W. W. Padgett: May Allen Lysles in the next combat possess 
the power, might and strength of Elijah’s God, to tear Martin 
Witt asunder. 

By Joel Butler: Col. Seaborn Delk, who solicits and deserves the 
suffrage of his friends. May he ride the race of Justice and Suc¬ 
cess, and the patriotic citizens of Wilkinson County whip for him. 

By Josiah W. Hill, Henry Clay: 

A little busy politician, 

With more heads than a beast of visions, 

And more intrigues in every one, 

Than all the whelps in Babylon. 

By Richard Lewis, Esq., The Constitution of the United States; 
sufficiently extended without liberal constructions for plain Repub¬ 
licans. 

By Peter Buckhotes, Esq., Like the Herves of the Rev. we go for 
our country, right or wrong. 

By John T. Harrison, May the Fourth of July ever be celebrated 
by the rising generations in memory of our forefathers— 

Who bled and fought so nobly brave, 

And by Divine protection, 

Did our Country save. 

By Thomas Allen—The Heroes of the Revolution, who preferred 
death and the destruction of their enemies to live in slavery. 

By W. H. Wright—Talents and Patriotism—May they always 
find patrons and friends. 

By Edwin Mayo—To the Fair of Georgia—As the Fair have the 
power to depress the vice of intemperance in the youths of our 
Country, so may they look with a watchful eye to their own good 
and glory. 

By J. Beall—The Reader—A gentleman, plain, honest and up¬ 
right in all his dealings with mankind, who has by the courteous¬ 
ness of his address, suavity of his manners insured to himself the 
esteem, approbation and love of all. 

By C. Culpepper—The Orator—A Virginian by birth, in politics 
consistent, and in friendship sincere. 

After a pleasant day the company separated in excellent spirits 
and general good feelings. 

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE EBENEZER ASSOCIATION 
TAKEN FROM REGULAR FILE OF MINUTES 

By Wiley Shepherd 

This body was constituted at Cool Springs Meetinghouse, Wil¬ 
kinson County, Georgia, on Saturday the 6th of March, 1814. The 
Churches which thus associated were Rocky Creek, Whitehead’s 
Meetinghouse, Big Sandy, Cool Springs, Poplar Spring, Sugar 
Creek, and Mt. Horeb. These were dismissed from the Hepzibah 
Association. Mt. Moriah, Mt. Nebo, New Providence, Richland 
Creek, Ramah, and Trail Branch were dismissed from the Ocmulgee 
Association. 

The Presbytery consisted of the Rev. George Franklin, Norrel 
Robertson, Charles Culpepper and Isaiah Shirey, from the Hepzi¬ 
bah Association; Vincent A. Tharp, Henry Hooten and Edmund 


374 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Tolbert from the Ocmulgee. Micajah Fulgham was chosen Mode¬ 
rator and Ezekiel Taylor Clerk. The Ocmulgee Church, a new 
constitution, was received into the union, making fourteen churches. 
This body was constituted on Articles of Faith held by Regular Bap¬ 
tist generally. The Association is indebted to the Rev. George Frank¬ 
lin for the name she bears. 

Second Session, at Mt. Moriah, Twiggs County, August 13, 1814. 
Introductory Sermon by Micajah Fulgham, M. Fulgham Mode¬ 
rator and E. Taylor Clerk. Made arrangements for correspondence 
with Associations and appointed two General Meetings. Recom¬ 
mended Itinerent preaching, and appointed a fast day, etc. 14 
churches and 575 members, Circular letter on Christian duties by 
Brother Amos Love, at this time there was four ordained ministers 
belonging to the Association, viz. Micajah Fulgham, Jesse Pierce, 
Wm. Hawthorn and Chadwick A. Tharp, Sr., and the following 
Licentiates, viz. Charles Stringer, John McKenzie, Samuel Pouncy, 
Elijah Hammock, Sam’l Cannon and Wiley Shepherd. 

Third Session at Mt. Nebo, Wilkinson County, August 15, 1815. 
Introductory Sermon by Wm. Hawthorn, M. Fulgham, Moderator, 
E. Taylor Clerk, 3 churches received viz. Ohoopy, Rutherford and 
Woods. Query taken from the table, is it right to receive testimony 
from the world against a member in any case? Answer, we think 
it right that every church should receive testimony from any quar¬ 
ter she may think proper and act upon it, according to the weight 
the testimony bears with her. Resolved, that this Association recom¬ 
mend to the several churches they represent, to receive all such 
sums as may be collected from time to time in the said churches 
by free donation and transmit the same to this Association an¬ 
nually by their Messengers, which sums so collected shall form an 
Association fund to aid this Association in making such contribu¬ 
tions to Messengers appointed to bear letters of correspondence to 
our sister Associations as may appear necessary and for other char¬ 
itable purposes which may from time to time occur. Again recom¬ 
mend itinerant preaching, fast day, etc, 17 churches 761 members. 
Circular letter on the duty of Deacons by M. Fulgham. Twenty- 
eight dollars was raised at this session for the Association fund by 
the voluntary contributions of the Messengers, Fourteen of which 
was expended. 

Fourth Session, at Mt. Horeb, Pulaski County, November 9, 1816. 
Introductory Sermon by John McKenzie, Fulgham and Taylor re¬ 
elected to office. Three churches received, viz., Stone Creek, Mount 
Pleasant and Bulah. Opened correspondence with the Baptist Board 
for Foreign Missions. Reported the -church at Whitehead Meeting¬ 
house dissolved. Query taken from the table—is it consistent with 
the genius and order of the gospel of Jesus Christ for members 
of his church to encourage or suffer their children to attend dances? 
Answer, it is inconsistent. Appointed General Meetings, fast day, 
etc. 19 churches, 681 members. Circular letter on Church Discipline 
by the Rev. Wm. Jones. 

Fifth Session at Woods Meeting-house, Twiggs County, Septem¬ 
ber 13, 1817. Introductory Sermon by Vincent A. Tharp, Fulgham 
and Taylor re-elected to office. Resolved to cease correspondence 
with the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions. Agreed that the 
Ministers of this Association shall in future bear the title of Elder. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


375 


Two churches received, Antioch Twiggs Co. and Camp Creek, Bald¬ 
win County. Agreed to contribute all the surplus money in the As¬ 
sociation fund for itinerant preaching in the lower counties provided 
suitable candidates should appear. 21 churches, 900 members. Cir¬ 
cular letter on Christian liberty by Wm. Hawthorn. 

Sixth Session at New Providence, Wilkinson County, Sept. 12, 
1818. Introductory Sermon by Wm. Jones, M. Fulgham, Moderator, 
E. Taylor Clerk. Resumed correspondence with the Baptist Board 
for Foreign Missions. Received and read a Circular addessed from 
the Kentucky Baptist Missions Society for Indian Reform. Appointed 
the Moderator to write to that Society. Set apart two days of fasting 
and prayer in imitation of the Ocmulgee Association on account of 
the great drought which prevailed this year. 21 churches, 879 mem¬ 
bers. Circular letter on Declension of Religion by Micajah Fulgham. 

Seventh Session at Rocky Creek, Laurens County, Sept. 11, 1819. 
Introductory Sermon by Eden Taylor, Vincent A. Tharp, Mode¬ 
rator, Ezekiel Taylor, Clerk. One Church received, Salem. The 
Boad of Foreign Missions requested the sentiment of the Association 
in regard to an institution for the education of poor young min¬ 
isters, which was laid over until next meeting for consideration. 
Appointed a committee to join a similar committee from the Ocmul¬ 
gee Association to make arrangements for Indian Reform and 
report at the next meeting. Set apart a day of thanksgiving to God 
for his goodness this year in blessing the land with rain, and the 
people with bread to the full; also a day of fasting and prayer. 
Seven ministers were present as Delegates, viz. Eden Taylor, Wm. 
Hawthorn, John McKenzie, Isaiah Shiry, Vincent A. Tharp, Levi 
Bush, Solomon Stephens; three Licentiates, viz. Henry Dykes, Sam¬ 
uel Cannon and Wiley Shepherd. 22 churches, 925 members. Cir¬ 
cular letter on the Resurrection of the Dead by Vincent A. Tharp. 

Eighth Session at Ramah, Wilkinson County, Sept. 9, 1820. Intro¬ 
ductory Sermon by Theophilus Pierce, Vincent A. Tharp, Mode¬ 
rator, Ezekiel Taylor Clerk. Three churches received, viz. Myrtle 
Spring, Mount Olive and Bethel, Pulaski. Agreed to concur with 
the Ocmulgee Association and any other that may come into the 
measure of Indian Reform and appointed trustees. Took up the 
reference from our Minutes of last year relative to an institution 
for the Education of poor young Ministers, but as this Association 
could not see its general utility could not come into the measure 
until better satisfied, but were willing others should act discretionary 
in the support of such an object. Query taken from the table, is 
there not an inconsistency in the mode of dismissing members as 
practised in our churches? Answer, we think there is. Resolved in 
future they be dismissed in toto. Appointed General Meeting, fast 
day etc. 25 churches, 1065 members. Circular letter on the Support 
of the Gospel by Micajah Fulgham. 

Ninth Session at Myrtle Spring, Wilkinson County, Sept. 8, 1821. 
Introductory Sermon by John Ross,—Theophilus Pierce, Moderator, 
John McKenzie, Clerk. One church received, Buckeye. Received the 
report of the trustee on Indian Affairs. Received and continued the 
correspondence with the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions. Set 
apart a day for fasting and prayer etc. 26 churches in union, 1085 
members. Circular letter on Preaching the Gospel to all Nations 
by John McKenzie. 


376 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Note—The Beersheba Church was formely Mount Pleasant. 

Tenth Session at Mt. Horeb Pulaski County, September 7, 1822. 
Introductory Sermon by James Steely, Vincent A. Tharp, Mode¬ 
rator, John McKenzie Clerk. Received the report of the Board of 
Trustees for Indian Reform and unanimously agreed to aid in that 
laudable design and appropriate $128.00 dollars. Received the 
Minutes of the General Baptist Association. Took the same under 
consideration and laid it over to the next Association. Received and 
continued correspondence with the general Board for Foreign Mis¬ 
sions. Appointed a day for fasting and prayer, for the blessings of 
God upon our sons and daughters. 26 churches, 1019 members. Cir¬ 
cular letter on Renewing Grace by John Ross. The following min¬ 
isters were present as Delegates, Charles Culpepper, Henry Hand, 
James Steely, John Ross, John McKenzie, Vincent A. Tharp, Theo- 
philus Pierce, Wm. Hawthorn and two Licentiates, John Leonard 
and Elijah Hammock. 

Eleventh Session at Stone Creek, Twiggs County, Sept. 13, 1823. 
Introductory Sermon by Charles Culpepper, Vincent A. Tharp, Mod¬ 
erator, John McKenzie Clerk. Two churches received, Poplar Spring, 
Washington Co., and Mount Pisgah, Monroe Co. of which Jont. 
Neal and John Blackstone were Messengers and both violently op¬ 
posed to missions. Took under consideration the reference of last 
year, relative to the General Association, which was thrown under 
the table. Took under consideration the Indian Reform whether to 
continue or discontinue,—it was discontinued. This caused one Min¬ 
ister to remark that they had stripped the Lord naked and turned 
him out of doors. Received and continued correspondence with the 
Baptist Board for Foreign Missions and set apart a day of fasting 
and prayer. 28 churches, 1048 members. Circular letter on Christian 
Liberty by Elijah Hammock, which was referred to a Committee 
of three, Taylor, Hand and Blackstone for correction. 

Twelfth Session at Cool Springs, Wilkinson County, Sept. 11, 

1824. Introductory Sermon by Henry Hand, Vincent A. Tharp, Mod¬ 
erator, John McKenzie, Clerk. One church received, Mt. Bezer. It 
was moved and seconded that we consider the minutes of last year 
so far as related to Indian Reform, the motion was lost. A similar 
motion was made to correspond with the General Association, but 
it was lost. Received and continued correspondence with the Baptist 
Board for Foreign Missions. The church at Mount Pisgah, Monroe 
County, was dismissed of which Blackstone and Neal were Mes¬ 
sengers. The Ministers present as delegates were nearly divided, 
those in favor of Missions were Hand, Steely, Swift, Culpepper, 
Ross, Sheoherd, Tharp, and Pierce-—those opposed were Bush, Bar¬ 
ber, Blackstone, Neal McKenzie, Dykes and Adams Jones, and 
the laiety chiefly. Appointed fast day, etc. 29 churches, 969 mem¬ 
bers. Circular letter on Family Religion by Eden Taylor. 

Thirteenth Session at Rocky Creek Laurens County, Sept. 10, 

1825. Introductory Sermon by Martin Swift, Theophilus Pierce, Mod¬ 
erator, John McKenzie, Clerk. Two churches received, Big Creek 
and Dry Creek. The Minutes are silent as to correspondence with the 
Board for Foreign Missions. The 28th item of last year’s minutes 
was stricken out, and two days of fasting and prayer appointed 
for God’s blessings on the churches generally, and also on our land, 
as there had been a Domestic Missionary Society formed within the 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


377 


bounds of the Association, the subject of Missions was not agi¬ 
tated. 30 churches, 1070 members. Circular letter on Praying for 
Ministers by Henry' Hand. At this time there is correspondence with 
seven Associations. 

Fourteenth Session at Mount Olive, Baldwin County, Sept. 9, 

1826. Introductory Sermon by John McKenzie, Pearce and McKenzie 
re-elected to office. By request of the church at Poplar Springs, 
Washington Co., a committee was appointed to meet with that 
church to set them in order. Appointed a fast day for God’s blessings 
on the church, and the young and rising generation. 30 churches, 
1009 members. Circular on Good Works by Theophilus Pearce. 

Fifteenth Session, at Richland Creek, Twiggs County, Sept. 8, 

1827. Introductory Sermon by Henry Hand, John Ross Moderator, 
and John McKenzie, Clerk. One church received, Union; one church 
dissolved, Salem. This body expressed her condolences for the death 
of those venerable men of God,—Vincent A. Tharp and Theophilus 
Pearce, formerly Moderators of this body. Recommended the 
churches to set apart a day of fasting and prayer among themselves. 
There were twelve ministers and one Licentiate at this meeting. 30 
churches, 10074 members. Circular letter on Brotherly Love by 
John McKenzie. 

Sixteenth Session at Trail Branch Pulaski County, Sept. 13, 

1828. Introductory Sermon by John Ross, John Ross Moderator, 
McKenzie Clerk. Two churches received, Harmony and Beaver Creek. 
Agreed to have the Constitution and Articles of Faith of this body 
published in the Minutes of the present year. No recommending 
or appointing a fast day this year, how forgetful Christians are 
sometimes of their dependence on God. 32 churches, 1198 members. 
Circular letter on Putting the Brethren in Remembrance of all 
their duties by Charwick A. Tharp. Up to this time there had been 
contributed for minutes $712.00 and to the Association Fund $735.00. 
$731.00 dollars had been appropriated to defray Messengers ex- 
pences. $81.00 had been returned by Messengers who failed to per¬ 
form the service assigned them as Corresponding Messengers. 
There had also been contributed $128.00 for Indian Reform, making 
an aggregate of $1575.00. 

Seventeenth Session at Woods Meeting-house, Twiggs County, 
Sept. 12, 1829. Introductory Sermon by Adam Jones, John Ross 
Moderator, Charwick A. Tharp, Clerk. The Minutes say three 
churches received but Camp Creek in Dooly was omitted by mistake 
to be inserted which would have made four churches received instead 
of three, and the number agree with the table, which says 36 
churches, the three mentioned are Irwinton, Shallum and Hope- 
well. Four churches dismissed: Dry Creek, Beaver Creek Mt. Bezer 
and Ohoopy. Recommended a fast day to be kept and the Fourth 
of July as a day of thanksgiving. 36 churches, 1431 members, 270 
baptized. Contributed for minutes $66.00, Association Fund $77.00, 
appropriated to corresponding Messengers $86.00. Circular letter 
on Brotherly Love by a Committee of three, Paine, Jones and Whit¬ 
tle. Gray’s Circular rejected. 

Eighteenth Session at New Providence, Wilkinson County, Sept. 
11, 1830. Introductory Sermon by John M. Gray, Adam Jones, Mod¬ 
erator and Charwick A. Tharp, Clerk. Four churches received, viz. 
New Hope, Irwin Co., New Hope Twiggs Co., New Hope Laurens 


378 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Co. Pleasant Plains, Wilkinson Co. Five churches dismissed, viz. 
Big- Creek, Camp Creek, Dooly, Shallum, Mount Horeb and Poplar 
Spring, Washington, and three members appointed to assist in 
constituting the four first named into an Association. Set apart 
two days, one for fasting and prayer and the other for thanksgiving. 
Union and Bethel are not found in the table and perhaps were 
dissolved that year. 34 churches, 1502 members. For Minutes $63; 
for fund $85.00; 410 baptized. Circular letter on Brotherly Love by 
George Leaves. Eleven ordained Ministers, Hammack, Odom, Smith, 
Hand, Leonard Scarborough, Baker, Melton, Jones, Gray, Tharp. 

Nineteenth Session at Poplar Spring, Laurens County, Sept. 10, 

1831. Introductory Sermon by Charwick A. Tharp, Adam Jones 
Moderator, C. A. Tharp, Clerk. The Minutes say three churches 
were received, Dublin, Parkinson and Williams, but Hartford should 
have been inserted, making four churches. Two churches were dis¬ 
missed, New Hope, Laurens, and Harmony, Baldwin. Decided that 
it was not good order to receive or hold a member in fellowship who 
had intermarried while their first wife or husband was living. Set 
apart one day for fasting and prayer and one for thanksgiving. 
33 churches, 1391 members, 127 baptized. For Minutes $57.00; Fund 
$93.00. Circular letter on Missionary Efforts by H. B. Hathaway. 

Twentieth Session at Camp Creek, Baldwin County, Sept. 8, 

1832. Introductory Sermon by Berry Melton, Charwick A. Tharp, 
Moderator and Jas. McDonald, Clerk. The articles of faith of this 
body was again reprinted, with a little alteration in the 12th article 
which reads as follows ; We believe that ordained ministers or such 
as have come under the imposition hands by a regularly authorized 
Presbytery, only have a right to administer the ordinances. The 
Constitution was in part reprinted. Query, what shall be done with 
disorderly expelled members who previous to their expulsion received 
letters of dismission and now refuse to give them up? Answer, That 
the expelling church should inform other churches of the case, in 
order to guard them against imposition. Agreed to keep the 20th of 
the month as a fast day as recommended by the Governor on account 
of the cholera morbus. The 4th of July was recommended as a day 
of thanksgiving, altered the mode of appointing a person to preach 
the introductory sermon and one to write the circular letter. Adopted 
the plan for each church to send delegates to the General Meeting 
or Union Meeting and the whole number when convened shall ap¬ 
point the place for the next Union Meeting of the same district and 
the Association when it falls to their lot. One church, Hopewell, is 
omitted in the table, which would make 31 churches, 1339 members, 
184 baptized For Minutes $46.00; fpr Fund $76.00. Circular letter 
by D. D. Sanders,—modified by a committee of Black, Whitaker and 
Martin. Ministers present; Odom, Paine, Black, Smith, McDonald, 
Marshall, Jones, Tharp; Licentiates, Powell, Hughs, Messer. Ruther¬ 
ford and Mt. Olive Dismissed. 

Twenty-first Session at Big Sandy, Wilkinson County, Sept. 21, 

1833. Introductory Sermon by James McDonald, Charwick A. Tharp, 
Moderator, and H. B. Hathaway Clerk. The Ocmulgee and Mt. Mo¬ 
riah churches were reported to be dissolved. Query, is it right or 
is it not for Brethren to go to law with each other? Answer, No, it is 
not right. Appointed a day of fasting and prayer, and the Fourth 
of July as a day of thanksgiving. 27 churches, 1178 members, 166 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


379 


baptized, for Minutes $47.00; for fund $60.00. Circular letter on 
the Pleasantness of Brethren Dwelling: Together in Unity by H. B. 
Stanly. 

Twenty-second Session at Hopewell, Telfair County, Sept. 27, 
1834. Introductory Sermon by David Smith, Charwick A. Tharp, 
Moderator, Daniel M. Hall, Clerk. One church received, Bethel, 
Wilkinson. Recommended the churches to set apart one day at least 
for fasting and prayer and one for thanksgiving in the course of 
the year. 28 churches, 1305 members, 116 baptized. For Minutes 
$41.00; for fund $63.00. Ministers, Black, Jones, Smith, Tharp, 
Hughs, Baker, Messer, Paine, and Williamson and Bush. Circular 
letter on Difficiencies in Christian Duties bv J. Hughs. 

Twenty-third Session at Myrtle Springs, Wilkinson County, Sept. 
26, 1835. Introductory Sermon by Wm. Paine, Chadwick A. Tharp, 
Moderator and H. B. Hathway, Clerk. Voted to drop correspondence 
with the Georgia and Washington Associations, while they corres¬ 
pond with the Central Association. Passed a resolution against the 
abolishionest. Appointed a day of fasting and prayer that the 
churches may be united and brotherly love abound. One church re¬ 
ceived, Bethlehem. This meeting was one of much contention and 
fears entertained of a split taking place. 29 churches, 1405 members, 
211 baptized. For Minutes $44.00; for fund $65.00. Circular letter 
on usury by Adam Jones. Ministers, Jones, Smith, Black, Tharp, 
Hand, Paine. Baker, Messer, Odom, Powell. Licentiates, Vann, 
Pearce and Warren. 

Twenty-fourth Session at Beersheba, Twiggs County, Sept. 24, 
1836. Introductory Sermon by Charwick A. Tharp, C. A. Tharp, 
Moderator, and James H. Loftin, Clerk. Three churches, Camp 
Creek, Ramah and Bulah, sent up a declaration of non-fellowship 
with all the benevolent institutions of the day and persons engaged 
in them. A query was purposed as follows: are the institutions of 
the day such as Missions, Temperance, etc., consistent with articles 
of the faith of this Association, which after much debate was an¬ 
swered in the affirmative. On this decision the delegates of seven 
churches left the house, viz. Myrtle Spring, Mt. Nebo, Ramah, Cool 
Spring, Pleasant Plains, Camp Creek and Bulah and declared them¬ 
selves to be the true Ebenezer Association and demanded the rec¬ 
ords, all of which was denied. It was then resolved that a difference 
of opinion on the institutions of the day should not be the ground 
of non-fellowship among the brethren. Big Sandy Church was dis¬ 
missed by letter. Recommended the churches to keep as a fast day 
the Saturday of their first meeting in the next year. Renewed cor¬ 
respondence with the Georgia and Washington Associations and op¬ 
ened correspondence with the Central Association. 29 churches, 1259 
members, 127 baptized; for Minutes $39.00; for fund $48.00. Circu¬ 
lar letter on Christian Charity Love and Forbearance Towards all 
the People of God by Lott Warren. The Ministers present who were 
opposed to the institutions of the day were Black, Smith, Jones, 
Paine, Powell; those in favor were: Tharp, J. R. Hand, Hughs, 
Lancaster, Williamson and Baker. 


Compiler’s note: The foregoing brief history of the Ebenezer 
Association was found in the Minute Book of Liberty Church, having 
been written nearly a century ago by Wiley Shepherd. 



380 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


CHURCH HISTORIES 

MT. NEBO—Baptist Church, was organized in June, 1808, by 
Elders Joseph Baker, Stephen Safford and Henry Hooten and was 
the first church of any denomination to be organized in the county. 
The first pastor was Claiborn Baitman. The early members were: 

Samuel Cannon, Benjamin Underwood, Thomas Jackson, William 
Bland, William Lord, Sr.; William Pace, John Gilmore, John Hatch¬ 
er, Sr.; Benajah King, Clark Jackson, John Poulk, Elias Legget, 
Thomas Lord, Robert Milligan, Benjamin Logan, Thomas Gray, 
Sr.; Thomas Gray, Jr.; John Clemons, John Eady, Sr.; William 
Lord, Jr.; Hezekiah Williams, John Brown, Abner Jackson, Thomas 
Underwood, Wiley Shepherd, Shadrick Adams, William Underwood, 
Joseph Clyet, John Rustin, John Hardie, Merrit Ethridge, William 
Mackey, Sr.; Joab Durham, John Taliaferro, James Sheror, John 
Ryan, Samuel Williams, Joshua Ryal, Malachi Sanders, Henry 
Sanders, James Ware, James Ballard, James Benton, Joseph Mayo, 
Alexander Passmore, Amos King, Wiley Davis, Underhill Davis, 
Ely Mayo, Adam Branan, Harris Branan, Alexander Nesbit, Archi¬ 
bald Hooks, Sarah Cannon, Junney Underwood, Hopey Ethridge, 
Ann Shepherd, Elizabeth Bland, Margaret Edey, Molly Lord, Pris¬ 
cilla Pace, Lewey Jones, Lewisa Rustin, Damaris Hardie, Adah 
Davis, Cally Ethridge, Mary Brady, Ludia English, Mary Shep¬ 
herd, Nancy Howard, Sarah Mayo, Sally Bozman, Tabytha Taylor, 
Elizabeth Waid, Polly Williams, Sarah Lewis, Mary Milligan, Re¬ 
becca Gray, Maggy Ballard, Rebeckah Copeland, Patsy Williams, 
Sally Underwood, Rachel Ruston, Elizabeth Sanders, Bethah Milli¬ 
gan, Nancy Clyet, Mary Wilkinson, Mary Hatcher, Syntha Pugh, 
Rebeckah Macky, Milly Ethridge, Mary Hancock, Nancy King, 
Sarah Passmore, Tabytha Brown, Sally Dickson, Rachel Williams, 
Susannah Jackson, Jr.; Rebecca Fairchild, Elizabeth Jackson, V. 
Butler, Elizabeth Underwood, Catherine Back, Sally Adams, Eliza¬ 
beth Etheridge, Polly Clemons, Maryan Gross, Anna Garrett, Pheby 
Howell, Sarah Shepherd, Gilly Lancaster, Lydia Taliaferro. 

RAMAH 

Few churches have had as interesting a history as has Ramah 
Primitive Baptist Church, located two miles south of Gordon. Its 
influence through the hundred and twenty years since it was con¬ 
stituted has been far reaching, and it might well be called one of 
the bulwarks of the Primitive Baptist belief its members unchang¬ 
ing and unchangeable in the ancient tenets and doctrines as prac¬ 
tised by their forbears. 

Ramah Church was constituted June 10, 1809, by Castlebury, Cor¬ 
nelius Batchelor, Thomas McGinty, McGinty, John Proctor, Adam 
Jones, Ella Jones, Fanny Proctor, Allen Gay and Abigail Gay. 

Around Ramah there soon grew up quite a cross roads com¬ 
munity center. The presence of the church did not deter the build¬ 
ing of the old race track, traces of which may yet be found, and in 
its day it was one of the most famous race tracks lying between the 
Oconee and the Ocmulgee Rivers, and the finest blooded horses 
were brought here to be entered in the races. 

At first this church was a member of the Ocmulgee Association, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


381 


but in 1814 a new association, the Ebenezer, was formed at Old 
Cool Spring Church where Allentown now stands and Ramah be¬ 
came a member of this Association. The delegates Ramah sent to 
organize the association were Allen Gay and Adam Jones. 

The membership of the church grew rapidly and the minutes show 
the names of those joining this church to 1820 were: 1809, Ezekiel 
Bragg, Sarah Bragg, Benjamin Cooper, Nancy Cooper; 1811, Henry 
Castleberry, Millie Castleberry, John Roach, Elizabeth Aycock, 
Benjamin Ay cock, Fannie Johnson, Elizha Darden, Fannie Darden; 
1812, Deliliah Jones, Penny Gay, Lillie Gay, Hesikah Darden, Jacob 
Showes, Polly Showes, Isaac Jones, Sarah Stevens, Reiny Castle¬ 
berry; 1813, Henry Eady, Solomon Savage, Frederick Henron, Mar¬ 
tha Matthews, Mathew Bragg, Bether Williams, Br. Long, Mellie 
Jones, Sister Priscilla; 1814, Stephen Proctor and Susan his wife, 
John McKenzie, Nellie McKenzie, Mourning Cox, Annie Proctor, 

John C-, Elisha Calloway, Bro. Conner; 1815, Elizabeth Harricur, 

Celia C'adwell, Ephriam and Rachel Ellis, Ephriam Eady, John 
Proctor, William and Mary Proctor; 1816, Elizabeth Williams, Bro. 
Boggs, George Dykes, Hilda Dykes, Joseph Stephens, Rachel Steph¬ 
ens, Levy Matthews, Israel Caldes; 1817, Washington McGinty, 
James Lambert and Sister Lambert, Charles Young, Martha Young, 
Simon Johnson, Carleton Greer and Eliazbeth Greer, Mary Mott, 
Allen Hill, Hartwell Moore, William Stanford, Priscilla Collins, Ce¬ 
lia Bohannon, Samuel Wells, Bernice Proctor, Millie Moore, Annie 
Lyles, Cely Stevens, Robert Williams, William Proctor, Henry Cas¬ 
tleberry’s daughter Dorcas, Theodoshis Shirien, Mary Willis, Annie 
Lindsey, Charlotte King; 1818, John Brock, Sarah Underwood, Ta- 
bitha McGinty, Allen Dykes, Tempey Broach, Elizabeth Palmer, 
Candance Norman, Tom Sanders, Polly Dykes; 1819, Cely Baker, 
John Wood, Susannah Wood, Nancy Brock, Harold Moore and wife, 
Morah Passmore, Bether Millican, John Franc-. 

The first Association was held at Ramah in 1820. It was at this 
Association that questions arose and were adopted which were 
destined to develop into a storm of such intensity as should split 
asunder this Association. For some years the question of Foreign 
Missions had been slightly agitating the Baptists of Georgia. Now 
it was brought to a head. Adam Jones, the pastor of this church, 
was scheduled to preach but, illness preventing him, Jesse Mercer 
filled his place. His sermon seems to have so swayed the minds of 
the delegates that when a vote on the question of Indian Reform 
and Missions was had, it carried and for a brief period the Ebe¬ 
nezer Association was committed to Missions. 

However, murmurings in the various churches soon began to 
develop and it was discontinued. Again and again the question was 
brought up during the years following, bitter feelings began to 
be engendered and the breach continued to widen between the 
two factions. Chiefest among those opposing Missions was David 
Smith whose fiery denunciations of “the institutions of the day” 
were meeting with favor throughout most of the Wilkinson County 
churches. Possessing a powerful delivery and unlimited energy and 
fully convinced in the justice of his cause he most ably championed 
the anti-mission side. From church to church he went at every op¬ 
portunity pouring out anathemas against those whom he felt were 
leading astray the members of the church. His vitrolic utterances 




382 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


at times resulted in his having to defend his position with his 
fists, as occurred at Irwinton in the pulpit one day. 

In 1835, Ramah called David Smith “without a dissenting voice” 
to serve this church, and though called again “unanimously” by the 
“church and vicinity” in 1836, he was unable to accept and Adam 
Jones was chosen. 

In 1836 Resolutions of protest were passed by Ramah addressed 
to the Association stating that the members of this church were not 
reconciled to the “Institutions” and would not support them. So 
strongly anti-mission it is not surprising that following the division 
at Beersheba in 1836 Ramah should cast in her lot at Pleasant 
Plains with those churches who refused to remain in fellowship 
with those who persisted in advocating foreign missions. Thus, 
Ramah was a member of the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Associa¬ 
tion and has so continued until now. 

A most remarkable coincidence is found in the names of those 
serving as clerk of this church. Prior to 1834 the clerks never 
signed their names to the minutes. Joel Rivers served as clerk 
from 1834 to 1842. James R. Lewis, his oldest son-in-law, was clerk 
from 1842 to 1862. Thomas R. Whitaker, another son-in-law, was 
clerk a short time in 1862. Columbus Hogan, another son-in-law, 
was clerk a short while in 1862 and 1863. Except for a brief period, 
John McArthur, another son-in-law, was clerk from 1863 to 1890 
and from 1897 to 1905. J. T. McArthur, a great grand son of Joel 
Rivers, grand son of John McArthur and son of J. J. McArthur, 
served as clerk to 1904. (He was later ordained as a minister here). 
J. J. McArthur served as clerk from 1904 to 1929, serving as such 
twelve years before he joined the church. 

No one thinks of Ramah without thinking of John Joel McArthur. 
No one has ever loved Ramah Church more intensely than does he. 
It is his church, his father’s and mother’s, his grand-father’s and 
grand-mother’s. He loves it not only as his place of worship but for 
the memories, the traditions of the past. To him it is hallowed ground 
and he asks that when life is over, his body be laid to rest beneath 
the sod at his beloved Ramah. 

Another prominent man, whose wife was a member of this church, 
was John R. Bragg, still another son-in-law of Joel Rivers and 
the son of Samuel Bragg, active in the county during the War Be¬ 
tween the States, serving for a term in the Legislature. His widow 
only recently died in Macon where several of her sons reside. 

The pastors who have served Ramah Church number among the 
list some of the ablest preachers of their time. First was John Ross; 
then Adam Jones. From 1835 the list is fairly complete and is as 
follows: 1835, David Smith; 1836, A. Stephens; 1838, Adam Jones 
and Lampkin Vandiver; 1840, John Evers; 1841, A. Black; 1842, 
David Smith; 1843, David Bassit; 1844, John Evers; 1841 to 1850, 
Lynch B. Porter, William Porter; 1859-63, L. B. Porter; 1845, James 
Granade; 1856, W. M. Cooper; 1871-73, W. F. Rogers; 1874-79, J. 
I. Keel; 1883, W. B. Carr; 1887 to 1912, John Gresham. The present 
pastor. Elder T. G. Wright of Macon is recognized by all who have 
heard him as a very able preacher. 

£ n ^he Present church was built. The building*committee was: 
John McArthur, Thomas R. Whitaker, William Ryle, members of the 
church and W. M. Whitehurst and J. W. Branan. In 1864 when Sher- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


383 


man’s Army came through, a portion of his troops encamped about 
Ramah. The locks of the church were broken and it was used as the 
headquarters of the officers. A part of the church equipment was 
taken away. 

LIBERTY CHURCH was organized August 29, 1837, by Rev. 
erends John Hughs, Jordan Baker, Henry Messer and J. P. Leverett. 
The name of Liberty was given because it was the purpose to pro¬ 
vide a church for those who were being expelled from other churches 
on account of their belief in Missions. The members constituting it 
were: Lewis Smith and wife, Elizabeth, Lewis Clay and wife, Judy, 
Milly Etheridge, James Hatcher, Cholson Sanders and wife Sarah, 
and John Kingery. 

Other early members were: Marth Hoover, Nancy Bales, James 
Benton, James Jackson, William Lord and his wife, Nancy, John 
R. Jones, Taliferro Jones, Lidy Jackson, Sarah Hatcher, Viney Nel¬ 
son, Sara Clay, John Spence, Liza Jackson, Caroline Jackson, Obe¬ 
dience B. Hatcher, Annie Bales, Jincy Spence, John Jones, Liza 
Brady, Nicy Jones, Samuel Ethridge, Levi Mothershed, Anna Jane 
Noles, Martha Nelson, John Herston, Nannie McKinsey, William 
Mackey, Ceiney Mackey, William G. Hatcher, Josiah Rammage, 
Lucy Clay, Wdliani Thompson, Robert Hatcher, Harrison Eth¬ 
eridge, Frances McKinsey, Susan Bales, Robert Etheridge, Tempy 
Riley, Waid Nelson, Joseph Riley, Sarah Etheridge, Mary Bales, 
Sarah Snow, James Davis, Berry B. Shepherd, Nicy Etheridge, 
Mchany Hatcher, Anna Reaves, Wiley B. Shepherd, Thomas Spence, 
William Parker, John Arnold, Daniel Blount, Elizabeth Sanders, 
Lovey Council, Hannah Ann Stubbs, Liza Stubbs, James Dismukes, 
Nancy Shepherd, William J. Shepherd, Iveny Holland, Isaac Steph¬ 
ens, Letha Stephens, Jesse Jackson. 

The first pastor was Rev. John Hughs, following him were: 
Henry Messer, William R. Steely, A. Tindol and John Dupree. 

MT. OLIVE CHURCH was organized May 25, 1837, by William 
Payne, his wife Sarah, B. Fordham, Nathaniel Cannon, Miles Can¬ 
non, his wife Nancy, John Holliman, his wife Prudence, Anna Buck- 
halts and Martha Payne, all former members of Big Sandy Church. 
At the Division which occurred at Beersheba the year before, Big 
Sandy had asked and received a letter of dismission from the Ebe- 
nezer Association. Following the meeting of the Ebenezer Primi¬ 
tive Baptist Association at Pleasant Plains in 1836, efforts towards 
uniting Big Sandy with it having been voted down by her members, 
the above named asked for letters of dismission which were granted. 
After the constitution of their new church it became a member of 
the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Association, while Big Sandy placed 
her letter with the Missionary Ebenezer Association (See Big Sandy 
Sketch). 

OAKDALE METHODIST CHURCH. Organized 1919, by Rev. 
C. C. Boland. Among the first members were J. T. Davidson, Joel 
Knight, R. E. Davidson, Mrs. J T. Davidson, Mrs. Joel Knight, Gor¬ 
don Hall, C M. Tidwell, W. 0. Hall and Mrs. W. O. Hall. 

J. O. Davidson, a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, gave 
the land upon which the house was built. Others in the community 


384 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


gave the timber or furnished the saw mill or labor, the house being 
completed in 1921. 

TOOMSBORO BAPTIST CHURCH was organized by Reverends 
J. M. Kelly and A. B. Smith, September 24, 1906. The original mem¬ 
bers were: W. J. Hughs, Mrs. H. D. Hughes, Miss Georgia Hughes, 
Miss Mayme Hughes, Mrs. G. C. Daniel and Mrs. Lizzie Cross. 
Services were held in the Christian and Methodist Churches until 
the church was built in 1922. 

In 1922 there were only two adult male members, H. E. Stephens 
and Dr. A. D. Ware and these two managed the building, the house 
being completed, painted and paid for in 1927. 

The pastors who have served this church are ; J. M. Kelly, W. O. 
Young, D. Albert Howard, Fred C. Markert, Allen Cutts, Fred E. 
Smith, John W. Falkner, Dr. J. C. Solomon, J. K. Williams, Hugh 
S. Wallace, Dr. A. I. Foster, C. E. McDaniel and E. W. Dupree. 

For the years 1927-’28, according to the minutes of the Ebenezer 
Association, this Church has held the record of being the heaviest 
contributor to Missions of any church. 

WALNUT CREEK CHURCH was organized in 1878 by Nelson 
Stuckey who furnished the material and proceeds for the building. 

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Wiley Rogers, he and his 
wife, Hope, Mr. Nelson Stuckey and his wife, Sabrinie, were among 
the first members of this church. 

When this church was first established, it was a Primitive Bap¬ 
tist church but the members died, moved away and later a Missionary 
preacher, whose name was Clarke, re-established it. 

BETHEL CHURCH was organized in 1833, through the activities 
of Rev. John Hughs, who served for many years as pastor. Others 
who served this church were Henry Mercer, Ellis Harville, G. B. 
Hughes, E. J. Coats. During, its history five generations of the 
Hughes family have preached here. Early members: David Johnson, 
William Dixon, William Roberson, Richard Barfield and others. 

MT. CARMEL CHURCH was organized in 1849, by William 
M. Cooper, John Evers and Henry J. Sears. The first sermon 
preached in the church was by William M. Cooper, who later served 
the church for some years. Early members: James Branan, Harris 
Branan, Archibald Hooks, William Bloodworth, John R. Rains, 
Sarah Branan, Nancy Allen, Ann Starley, Dellah Merchant. 

ASBURY. According to information furnished by S. A. Hatfield, 
this church was organized prior to 1850. Fletcher Reed and his wife, 
Mrs. Frances Reed, built an arbor and Charles G. Johnson, aided by 
William Griffin, conducted the first meetings under this arbor. Mrs. 
Kate Gibbs gave me the information that the church building was 
erected in 1851 on land donated by Hardy Durham, the deed being 
made to C. G. Johnson, William M. Dennard, William Griffin, Kelly 
Glover and A. H. Moore, Trustees. It was named in honor of Bishop 
Asburv. Early pastors were: C. G. Johnson and William Griffin, C. 
B. G. Johnson, (son of Rev. C. G. Johnson and Margaret (Vinson) 
Johnson,) entered the ministry from this church. Early stewards 
were, Oliver Johnson, Marshall Dennard and William Veal. A Sun- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


385 


day School was maintained here soon after the church was built, 
which was attended by children from a great distance. 

NEW PROVIDENCE CHURCH was constituted in 1811, by Eli¬ 
jah Hammack, Daniel Hooks, George Martin, Thomas Hughs, Sarah 
Martin, Bethel Tutleton and Rachel Hooks, former members of 
Big Sandy Church who were granted letters of dismission for the 
purpose of forming this church. 

This church rapidly grew in membership until it became one of 
the largest churches of the county. Rev. John Thomas Hughs served 
for several years as pastor. 

When the division occurred at Beersheba, New Providence and 
Bethel were the only Baptist Churches in the county whose member¬ 
ships were overwhelmingly Missionary (See Big Sandy Sketch). 

POPLAR SPRINGS. Evidently this church was an outgrowth of 
the Old Camp Meeting ground not far from its site. In 1828 Fulton 
Kemp executed a deed to ten acres of land, where the church now 
stands, to Jesse Peacock, Wiley Miller, Peter VanLandingham and 
Jethro Dean as Trustees of this church. The present house was 
built in 1859 by E. J. Tarpley. When Sherman’s army passed 
through, the church was used by the soldiers and the old minutes 
have never been seen since. Some of the pastors were W. Payne,. 
D. E. Starr, G. W. Prescott and W. F. Roberts. 

OLD CHAPEL, a Methodist church near the home of J. J. Butler 
was another old church, services being discontinued there about 
1858. Among the members were Col. John Smith, Willis Bullock 
and family. 

OLD HOPEWELL, on the Macon and Irwinton Highway just 
on the line of Twiggs and Wilkinson, is now only a tradition, hav¬ 
ing disappeared before the War Between the States. Among the 
members there were the Vinsons. 

THE IRWINTON CHURCHES—As seen heretofore the Metho¬ 
dist Chapel was the first church to be organized at Irwinton. This 
was followed in 1828 with the building of the Baptist Church then 
located near the Stevens Hotel. A dispute arising between the pastor 
of this church, David Smith and Deacon John Eady, which resulted 
in a combat in the pulpit, services w'ere discontinued at this church. 
It was in the Forties before another Baptist Church was organized 
at this place. 

About 1854 a series of fires broke out in Irwinton. Both churches 
were burned. Likewise the courthouse. The circumstances surround¬ 
ing these burnings caused many to believe they were of incendiary 
origin. 

There were a number of Presbyterians living here at the time 
and they also were desirous of a place of worship. The need for 
three churches to be built at one time in a town the size of Irwinton 
caused the various church members to agree upon a Union Church. 
By an act of the Legislature of 1854, Green B. Burney, A. E. Coch¬ 
ran, William Fisher, William O. Beall, James M. Hall, James Jack- 
son, and Thomas N. Beall and their successors in office were in¬ 
corporated under the name of Trustees of “Irwinton Free Church. ,r 

“Sec. III.—And be it further enacted, That the Trustees afore- 


386 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


said and their successors in office, shall hold the said Church, with 
the lands heretofore conveyed to said Church by William 0. Beall, 
consisting of one acre, more or less, for the use and benefit of the 
Presbyterian, Missionary Baptist, and Methodist Episcopal denomi¬ 
nations of Christians in perpetuity, in manner following, to wit: 
The Methodist Episcopal denomination shall be entitled to have, 
use, and control said Church for the first and third weeks in each 
and every month, reckoning from Friday morning before the first 
and third Sabbaths therein; the Presbyterians to have, use, and con¬ 
trol said Church the second week in each and every month, reckoning 
as aforesaid; and the Missionary Baptists to have, use, and control 
said Church the fourth week in each and every month, reckoning 
in like manner as the Methodists and Presbyterians; and the rights 
secured in this section to the several denominations mentioned shall 
be perpetual and inviolable, except by a vote of the Trustees, with 
the consent of all the denominations interested.” (Act of 1854). 

The building was completed in 1856. J. W. Lindsey, then a boy, 
was present and at the dedication by the Presiding Elder, L. B. 
Payne, witnessed the emotion displayed by the aged Samuel Beall, 
Green B. Burney and others. 

Some of the members of each church were as follows: Methodist, 
Green B. Burney, Thomas N. Beall, Dr. William Fisher, Judge J. 
C. Bower, Samuel Beall, W. I. Chambers, E. J. Gilbert, Geo. W. 
Tarpley; Baptist, W. O. Beall, Dr. A. E. Cumming, Captain Eli Cum- 
ming; Presbyterian, Jona Rivers, Daniel A. Moore, Col. R. L. Story, 
Dr. R. J. Cochran. 

RED LEVEL Church, once boasted not merely among the largest 
congregations of any church of the county, but its membership was 
composed of many of Wilkinson County’s most wealthy and cul¬ 
tured people. For miles around lay the big plantations, and on Sun¬ 
days from far and near the people would gather, some in fine car¬ 
riages drawn by such horses as is seldom seen in these days, others 
•on horse-back, ladies as well as men riding in this manner. 

The Charleston earthquake of 1886, which frightened nearly 
everybody to death throughout this county, happened while a pro¬ 
tracted meeting was being carried on at this place. 

The preacher whose name was Green, then living in Irwinton, 
was a powerful exhorter and as the meeting progressed each day 
waxed more and more eloquent and this being in the days of shout¬ 
ing Methodists when folks got real religion, the revival was on in 
earnest. 

On the night of the earthquake the church was packed to its ut¬ 
most. The preacher had just delivered himself of a fearful sermon 
dealing with the destruction of the world and judgment day, but 
somehow or other when he invited sinners to come to the altar few 
came. Then in the fervor of his emotions the preacher called on the 
congregation to bow their heads in a word of prayer. He prayed to 
God that if it was necessary to bring the sinners to repentance to 
send an earthquake and convince them of the wrath of an offended 
God. It is affirmed that he had scarcely uttered these words than 
a shudder ran through the earth as the first shock of the quake 
came, the house beginning to crack in every corner and the walls 
swaying from side to side. The prayer ceased in the middle of a 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


387 


sentence and every one raised his bowed head to see if the wind 
was blowing. Just at that moment came the second shock of the 
quake and pandemonium broke loose. Amidst the cracking of the 
walls the neighing of the frightened horses, the shrieks of the wom¬ 
en and children, with the freshly reminded visions of the destruction 
of the earth by fire, and the eternal tortures of the lost before their 
minds, they made a dash for the doors. It is said that the preacher 
went out the window and only a blind man remained on the inside. 

Once on the outside and no more shocks coming, one old man, 
after looking up and seeing that the stars were in their accustomed 
places, assured them that it was nothing but an earthquake and 
that there was no danger. It is said that the crowd then with one 
accord returned into the church and there was one of the biggest 
revivals that night any church ever did have. 

UNION METHODIST CHURCH in Lord’s district was another 
old church of the county. Fragments of the old minutes show that 
Fridays before the Second Sundays were set aside as days for fast¬ 
ing and prayer. This list of members indicated that the roll was 
regularly called and a record of attendance kept. Early members: 

Ann E. Freeman, Linny Freeman, Mahaly Freeman, . Mc- 

Gowin, Mary McGowin, Thomas Wadkins, Willie Sanders, Jack 
Kingry, Mary Wadkins, Sally Wadkins, Martha Miller, Mary Miller, 
E. T. Miller, Frances Miller, Elizabeth Freeman, Sarah McGowin, 
Martha Freeman, Elizabeth Thigpen, Sarah McIntyre. 

TOOMSBORO CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Organized 1858, by Rev. 
Thomas Harris. Early r pastors: A. G. Thomas, L. Speedier, J. A. 
Oliver, and others. At first, the services w r ere conducted at the homes 
of the members but soon a church was built on lands donated by 
James Jackson and Joel Deese. Some years ago a more desirable 
location being provided by Judge W. F. Cannon, a new church was 
built at its present site. Early members: Dr. L. F. Salter, B. F. 
Murchison, R. O. Echols, F. M. Salter, Jas. Garrett, E. S. Holcomb, 
I. F. Salter, Jasper Howard, Joshua Shepherd, J. R. Ryle, H. N. Gar¬ 
rett, Silas Smith, Richard McGraw, J. W. Evans, C. M. Lindsey, 
Rhodeo Tribble, Queen Tribble, Jane Chambers, Jane Salter, Sarah 
Salter, Elizabeth Hurston, Isabella Sanders, Polly Ann Holcomb, 
Macey Salter, Martha Garrett, Elizabeth Lord, Hulda Salter, Leah 
Garrett, Sarah Boatright, Lucy Chatman, Elizabeth Warner, Fran¬ 
ces Salter, Patsey May, Polly Echols, Elender Sands, Ferely Pass- 
more, Sarah Howard, Elizabeth Tribble, Sita Tribble, Nancy Evans, 
Epsie Kerson, Sarah Ann Shepherd, Samuel Smith, John Hatcher, 
Simeon Knight, John Tribble, Caroline Hatcher, Lucy Lindsey, 
Nancy Lavender, Martha Lord, Leah Garrett, Samuel Lavender, 
Mary Holcomb, Rebecca Lavender, Henry Salter, J. Scott, William 
Garrett, W. R. Lord, Frances Knight, Sarah McCullom, C. C. Kingry, 
S. J. Lord, Daniel Whalen. 

MYRTLE SPRINGS Church was organized February 29, 1812, 
by Charles Culpepper and Shirey, the first meeting house being 
built at the cemetery one mile west of Toomsboro on the Irwinton 
road, later being removed to its present location. Early pastors: 
John Ross, Charles Culpepper, W. M. Payne, David Smith. The 
church was originally a member of the Hepzibah Association, but 



388 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


united with the Ebenezer in 1818. Later, after the division in the 
Baptist churches, it united with the Primitive Baptist Ebenezer As¬ 
sociation. Early members; John Ross, Polly Ross, Dawson Webb, 
Francis Webb, Henry Davis, Nancy Davis, Moses Swearinggame, 
Mary Swearinggame, John Garrett, Elizabeth Garrett, Margaret 
Ross, Martha Webb, Marian Kemles, Cader Sawyer, Mary Pocon, 
Francis Chandler, Elizabeth Kingry, Christian Porter, Mary Mat¬ 
thews, Tempy Brewne, Wiloby Sikes, Matthew Sikes, Joseph Ross, 
Sampson Culpepper, Dephy Wammack, Peletithe Culpepper, Rach- 
ele Holder, Presley Matthews, Sally Hill, Elizabeth Matthews, Rob¬ 
ert Pocon (senior), Anney Avery, Joseph Hill, Casander Taylor, 
Elizabeth Horn, John Horn, Robert Pocon, Jr., Juncy Ward, Roda 
Powel, Elizabeth Welborn, Edy Jamerson, John Meredith, Henry 
Chambers, Wm. Taylor, Wm. Mathews, Dorcas Mathews, Ruth Rob¬ 
ertson, Mary Vaughn, Sapha Smith, John Lord, George Herndon, 
John Man, Mary Gray, James Robertson, Thomas Dunkirr, Nancy 
Howard, Polley Preswood, Margeth Horn, Sarah Scarborough, 
Young Elkings, Gatsey Elkings, Eady Olover, Wm. Oings, John 
Vaughn, Polly Clemmons. Wm. Benson, Wm. Lord, James Garrard, 
Wm. Barnes, Frances Whitaker, Martha Chambers, Sarah Martin, 
Netty Hardin, Gean Barnes, Richard Whitaker, Mildred Pace, 
Sarah Sanders, John Martin, Elizabeth Garrison, John Atkinson, 
Elizabeth Walters, Margaret Rupel, Tilpha Stinson, Janes Lasley, 
David Garrison, Margaretan Warren, Rebecca Stokes, Samuel Lord, 
Sarah Pearson, Wm. Stokes, Barney Tucker, John Polk, Mary Shep¬ 
herd, Vining Howard, Sarah Ethredge, Sarah Williams, Mary Bar¬ 
ber, Susan Garrett, Elizabeth Obanon, Mary Williams, Mary Out¬ 
law, Charles Culpepper, Rachel Culpepper, Lucinda Garrett, Mary 
Kimp, Joel Dees, William Garrison, James Dees, Mark Dees, Sinthy 
Dees, Morning Kemp, George Kemp, Henry Ross, Enoch Garrett, 
Elizabeth Dees, Daniel Sanders, Samuel Sanders, Dewey Webb, 
Archibald Smith, Colson Sanders, Rebecca Sanders, Green Hatcher, 
Eliza Hatcher, Robert and Nancy Ridley, Briton Horn, Sarah L. 
Hall, John K. Whaley, Wm. Garrett, Mary Garrett, Daniel M. Hall, 
Frances Sanders, Katharine Peacock, John Kingry, Nancy Vaughn, 
John Obanon, Mary C. Beall, James Garrett, Alexander T. Robinson, 
Elijah Hammock, a preacher and his wife, Wm. G. Hatcher. 

PLEASANT PLAINS Church was organized in 1830 by Elijah 
Hammock, David Smith, Jordan Baker and Icabud Scarborough, 
David Smith preaching the first sermon and served as the first pastor. 
Services were originally held one-half mile east of High Hill court 
ground on lands of W. W. Smith, - but in 1831 it was moved to its 
present site. 

Early members: Elijah Hogan, Joel Hardie, Isaac T. Porter, 
Elizabeth Porter, Anna Porter, Mary C. Porter, Susanna Smith, Wil¬ 
liam Smith, R. T. Porter, Ambrose Porter, Charles Porter. 

The first meeting of the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Association 
after the division _ was held at Pleasant Plains in November, 1836. 
The minutes of this meeting, after reciting the story of the division. 
We then met at the house of Brother Pierce and proceeded to elect 
necessary officers. David Smith was Moderator at this meeting, A. 
J. Jones, A. Blake and F. Ivey were appointed to draft a preamble, 
setting forth the reasons for the withdrawal. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


389 


The following churches and their delegates were represented at 
this meeting: Beulah, Pulaski county, O. Odom, J. Powell; Cool 
Springs, Wilkinson, D. Smith, M. Tyson; Camp Creek, Baldwin, 
A. Black, M. West; Ramah, Wilkinson, A. Jones, M. Stevens; Pleas¬ 
ant Plains, E. Hogan, J. Hardie; Mt. Nebo, Wilkinson, G. Herndon, 
W. Lord; Parkerson, Pulaski, William Pate, J. Brook; Friendship, 
Wilkinson, R. Whitaker, R. Lewis; Trail Branch, Pulaski, J. Ward, 
W. Allen. 

FRIENDSHIP Church was one of the early churches of the 
county. Tradition says the first meetings were held in a house near 
Claymont, and later on the Irwinton and Macon Road on the Lingo 
Place. In 1828 it was moved to Irwinton and was then known as the 
Irwinton Church. Dissension arising, however, it was moved to a 
spot under the hill opposite the present home of C. C. Thom pson. In 
1871 it was moved to its present location. Shortly after its removal 
from Irwinton, the name was changed to Friendship. In 1836 the 
church voted to unite with the Primitive Baptist Association. Due 
to a dispute over the question of members joining the secret order 
of Patrons of Husbandry in 1874, the church united with several 
other Baptist churches in forming a new association. However, in 
1886 it was decided to join the Towaliga Association. 

Early pastors: David Smith, Lamkin Vandiver, John Evers, Wil¬ 
liam M. Cooper. 

Early members: James Herndon and wife, Benjamin Maculler, 
Richard Lewis, Jesey Moor, Green W. Meadows, Joniah Bennett, 
William Picknin, John Usrey, Elbud Lee, Joseph M. Burk and 
wife,, Richard Whitaker, Thomas Poot and wife, Joseph Bryant and 
wife, Lewis J. Ramsey and wife, William W. Spivy and wife, Na¬ 
thaniel Cobb and wife, Lamkin Vandever and wife, Timothy Blood- 
worth, Lewis Etheredge, James Moore, Moses Dykes, Nathaniel 
Shepherd, Nathan Bush and wife, Welcom Usrey, Silvey Herndon, 
Betsey Lewis, Sally Bennett, Zanna Moore, Elizabeth Mayo, Agga 
Herndon, Susanna Meadows, Mrs. Charity Gray, Winney MacNeal, 
Flora Leathers, Mary Burk, Fanny Whitaker, Nancy Fort, Sally 
Bryant, Nancy Ramsey, Elizabeth Spivy, Mary Cobb, Nancy Van¬ 
dever, Elizabeth Bloodworth, Lucinda Etheredge, Rebecah Thomson, 
Nancy Bush, Nancy MacMurran, Lydia Barbee, Mary Dykes, Cas- 
sey Kinmon, Maryan Shepherd, Nicy Faircloth, Elizabeth Lavan- 
der, Sarah Bloodworth, Seaches Fairchild, Elizabeth Herndon, Mary 
McCardell, Hannah Vandivere, Nancy Allen. 

THE TOOMSBORO M. E. CHURCH, Irwinton Circuit, Macon 
District, South Georgia Conference, was organized and built in 
1907, under the pastorate of Hamp Stevens, O. F. Cook, P. E. 

W. A. Hall, W. H. Freeman, Dr. J. D. Thompson and G. C. Daniel 
composed the Building Committee. 

This church being inadequate in a few years, plans began to be 
made for a new one, which materialized and the present one built 
in 1928, under the leadership of Rev. J. C. Saville at a cost of 
$3,000.00, using part of the former church for Sunday School rooms. 

The Building Committee at this time were the Board of Stewards, 
W. H. Freeman, D. R. Freeman, F. B. Chambers, B. F. Bruton, E. 
F. Armstrong, R I. Lord, and W. I. Dixon, also Mrs. F. B. Chambers 



390 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


and Mrs. W. H. Freeman. This Committee appointed D. R. Freeman 
and Rev. J. C. Saville to supervise the work. 

At the present time we have a very comfortable building com¬ 
posed of a large auditorium and six Sunday School rooms. 

The W. M. S. to date have paid for church furnishings. 

(By Mrs. W. H. Freeman) 

DANVILLE 

HISTORY OF DANVILLE 

During the early part of 1891 there was great excitement between 
Macon and Dublin, a distance of sixty miles, because this isolated 
section would soon have a railroad traversing its fertile fields and 
thick forests. 

For several years the late Hon. Dudley M. Hughes, of Twiggs 
County, the late Col. John M. Stubbs, and a few other broad-visioned, 
patriotic citizens gave their time, energy and money (Mr. Hughes 
to the extent of $100,000) to the building of this railroad, expecting 
no return save the touch of civilization. 

The track was laid, the engine, such an awe-inspiring sight to 
country folk, came puffing along to Allentown, the old cross road 
(Macon to Dublin, Cochran to Irwinton), the postoffice for this sec¬ 
tion for years, where it was conceded the station would be es¬ 
tablished. But, to the surprise of all concerned, some at Allentown 
decided this was not the logical place for a town, so other arrange¬ 
ments had to be made. During the delay of selecting a town site a 
small girl, living near the present site of Danville, was presented 
with a tiny red flag, and to her was given the high honor, the enviable 
position of waving the train down whenever a passenger wished 
to board it. It is said this little girl who should have been a little 
boy, would climb a tree near the railroad track and eagerly search 
for the smoke of the engine. In this way she was able to inform the 
waiting passengers as to the possibility of the length of time before 
the arrival of the train. The child was Ilennilu Hughes, daughter 
of the late Hon. Dudley M. Hughes and Mrs. Hughes. 

Finally Mr. I. N. Maxwell consented to sell at a reasonable price 
fifty acres of land, and so in a cotton field with nearby woods the 
town of Hughes was begun with the building of the depot, then 
Maxwell’s store (the present postoffice) then the Yopp and Hill 
store (occupied now by I. A. Adams Co.) and O, the thrill of resi¬ 
dences going up!—first, Mr. Alex King built in thick woods on 
what was considered a street but later developed into an alley, 
next was the Joe Johnston’s house built on what is still the Main 
Street of Danville and then the dwellings of Mr. T. L. Hill and Mr. 
W. R. Haynes. Of course a school house was next to be erected, and 
this too, was built on Main Street, and Mr. Clifford Sanders, famous 
educator of the 90’s was the first teacher. 

About this time there was much annoyance about mail going to 
Hughes, Murray County, Georgia, and since Hughes, Twiggs 
County was the youngest, it had to give up its name, and by the 
unanimous consent of Mr. Hughes, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Yopp and 
Mr. Hill, the last named being the only one of the four surviving at 
the present time, the name Danville was accepted. This name was in 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


391 


honor of Col. Daniel Y. Hughes, father of Dudley M. Hughes, and 
one of the most active citizens in the building of the Macon, Dublin 
and Savannah Railroad. 

It was of course necessary to open roads to the new town—one 
from the John F. Porter home which produced a much nearer out¬ 
let to Wilkinson County, another from highway number nineteen 
through the Hughes plantation for three miles on out into the 
flat woods section, the best farming land in Twiggs. 

Danville has the distinction of being in two counties, almost in 
three, and has nearly five hundred citizens. 

(By Mrs. Clara Bradley Porter) 

ALLENTOWN 

HISTORY OF ALLENTOWN 

The little place known as Allentown in the South corner of Wil¬ 
kinson County is one of the oldest settlements in middle Georgia. 

It was first called Cross Roads, later Cool Springs, then Allen’s 
Cross Roads, and now Allentown. 

Ball’s ferry and Hartford (Hawkinsville) road which was an 
old Indian trail was crossed by road leading from Ft. Hawkins. 
(Macon) to a ford near where Dublin is now. These roads had 
trails joining them. Smith’s trail, also an old Indian trail, is marked 
on old plot and grants made in 1806. It ran from a Northeast to 
Southwest direction through (Palmetto Creek) Turkey Creek to 
the Balls-ferry road. This furnished a way for the Smiths, Browns,. 
Merediths, Phillips, and Davidsons to come to Cross Roads to the 
store and church. It afterwards became a road. 

David Smith, well-known Primitive Baptist preacher, who lived 
at Cool Springs for years, was the pastor of Cool Springs church 
in the latter part of 1822. He also had several other churches in 
Wilkinson County where he preached. Then another preacher by 
the name of William Carr also lived and preached here for years. 

The names of some who drew land from the State in 1806 and 
lived here were: Elijah Davis, Luke Padgette, William Hawthorne, 
Aaron Tison, Linkfield Perkins, David and Anderson Ingram and 
Henry McCoy. 

The oldest J. P. in this section of the county was Timothy Sears. 
It seems that he kept office for a long time, from 1823 to 1840. The 
oldest Doctor was Claxton. He owned several lots of land here. 
It was alleged that just before he died he sold some land, and 
adding this money to the pile he already had, placed it in an iron 
pot, carried it off and buried it. Nobody knows where it is hidden 
to this day. 

In 1831 Linkfield Perkins and James Allen bought 252J4 acres 
of land including Cross Roads and improvements thereon from 
John Gillitte of New Haven, Conn. In 1833 Perkins died and James 
Allen kept store for five years. He then died leaving his sons, John 
W. and Willis Allen, to look after his business. John was a farmer, 
while Willis was a farmer and merchant. Both men were prosperous. 

All during the early history of the settlement it was a gathering 
place for politicians and church-goers. Men from different parts 


392 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


of the State would stop for hours at a time. In the days before the 
War Between the States, such men as, Robert Toombs, Alexander 
Stephens, and Ben Hill would make speeches and have debates here. 

In 1854, a warrant for a Charter of Cool Springs Masonic Lodge 
was asked and was granted, Eli Sears, W. M., Jas. B. Coombs and 
W. W. Lee were the next officers in order. 

Cool Springs Academy was established in 1856, and many of our 
older people remember it as their first school. When these people 
around Cool Springs were at the height of their prosperity there 
lurked in the horizon a great war-cloud which broke forth with its 
greatest fury in 1861. Like other parts of the country Cool Springs 
did her bit in spending her money and in sending her best men 
to the front. One of the most prominent business men of this place 
lost his life on the battle field in 1863, Ira Ellis Perry. His body 
was brought back for burial. 

Fire destroyed two or three stores here owned by Willis Allen at 

different times, during the reconstruction period, thus leaving the 
Allens Cross Roads with only one store. In the meanwhile, Willis 
Allen died (1871) leaving a widow and nine children, the most of 
these children very small. In 1879 Cool Springs Church moved 
for convenience of most members about four miles Southwest of 
here. The Cool Springs Lodge for the same reason, was moved to 
Laurens Hill, then later to Lucy Chapel and at present is in 
Danville. 

About 1878, G. O. A. Daughtry, then a young lawyer, from Jef¬ 
fersonville, came and finished building a store begun by Mr. Smith 
and went into business. His father came later and several other 
stores were built. About 1889 or 90 the M., D. & S. Railroad 
was being graded. In 1891 Allentown was incorporated. Town lots 
were sold and business began to grow. In this same year the 
Methodist Church was organized and Methodist Parsonage begun. 
The Baptist built a church in 1900. The school here was very good 
for a long time but. at present is consolidated with Danville. Allen¬ 
town has a population of about two hundred people including whites 
and blacks. 

(Mrs. W. M. Allen) 

GORDON 

HISTORY OF GORDON 

Today the writer is being proclaimed one of the older citizens 
of Gordon, and as such has been asked to write a brief history of 
the town’s early days, and yet it seems such a short time since she 
proudly walked—with her new blue back spelling book—half a mile 
toward Milledgeville, where the little one-room school house still 
stands (next door to Leonidas Hatfield’s bungalow) and spent her 
first day in school. 

The writer’s mother was reared 6 miles south of Gordon, and 
often said, “that as a young lady it was necessary for her to pass 
through what is now Gordon, to visit her brother Jackson Leslie 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


393 


who lived where Ed. "Ward's home is located, and the land on which 
Gordon is built was then swampy and covered with gallberry 
bushes.” 

In 1843 the Central Railroad was completed from Savannah to 
Gordon. The town being named for the first president of the road, 
W. W. Gordon. In 1855 the company built a brick warehouse and 
depot between the present one and the building now occupied by the 
Butts Drug Co. This building was burned by Sherman's Army on 
its noted “March Through Georgia.” A small wooden structure re¬ 
placed it until 1885, when the present brick building was erected. 
The writer has in her possession an invitation to a Grand Ball that 
was given and which she attended on the evening of August 6, 1885, 
in the New Warehouse, which formally opened the building. 

At the same time the railroad was built David Solomon, who lived 
five miles out in the country, built and began operating the Gordon 
Hotel, which today is in a good state of preservation and is being 
used as a first-class hotel. In 1848 Mr. Solomon built a three-story 
grist and flour mill on little commissioner creek which he afterward 
sold to Mr. Galloway. It was later owned by B. I. Stevens, then J. 
W. Hooks who in 1910 sold it to the Pyne Tree Paper Company, 
where an extensive paper mill was operated until 1927, and is still 
intact, although not being operated at present. 

The town was incorporated in 1870, William Hardison was elected 
the first mayor. To his memory still stands some of the beautiful 
elm trees which it was his pride to plant on the streets of the little 
town. Two small frame buildings were built and used for Town Halls 
before the present brick one was built in 1917, while W. A. Jones 
was mayor. 

Early in the morning of Oct. 6, 1879, the store building of Mrs. 
Marjorie Solomon Flemister (where Sol Isenberg is now located) 
was discovered on fire, which had gained such headway that it soon 
consumed the next four buildings, the last of which was a two-story 
building owned and occupied by the writer's father, King Sanders. 
The middle building was also two stories and the second floor being 
used as a Masonic Hall. This necessitated a new home for the 
Masons, many of whom were fathers who had children in school. 

A new school building was erected on the present school site in 
„ 1880. The second floor was used for the Masonic Hall, the lower 
floor for a school room in which the much-beloved preacher and 
teachers, B. H. Ivey and A. R. Rozar (see their sketches) taught 
school for several years. In 1914 the school having outgrown the one 
floor, the entire building was purchased by the school trustees and 
the Masons built the present Temple on the corner of Main Street 


394 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


and Railroad Avenue, with R. L. Wood, W. M.; D. G. Hardie, S. W.; 
Joe Leslie, J. W.; C. H. McCook, Sec.; B. F. Ryle, Treas.; and J. 
F. Jackson, W. A. Jones, R. E. Evans and J. E. Bell, building com¬ 
mittee. The Gordon Lodge No. 240 F. and A. M., was instituted Nov. 
2, 1860, with Washington J. Solomon the first worshipful master; 
Henry Goodman, senior warden and John T. Lingo, junior warden. 

In 1918, this school building becoming inadequate to the still 
growing needs, was razed and the present building was erected on 
the same ground by the following trustees: W. A. Jones, chairman; 
S. W. Lee, secretary and treasurer; J. J. Ryle and R. E. Evans. 

Just north of the cemetery the first church—Methodist—was built 
in Gordon, lot and building donated by that ever philanthropic 
citizen, “Uncle” Davey Solomon. This building was later replaced 

by the one which still stands on the original site (now owned by 
Mrs. Bethany Stevens Byington) and was built by the two out¬ 
standing denominations in town—Methodist and Baptist. A few 
years later the Baptist withdrew and built a church on the north 
side of Railroad Avenue, where Rev. B. H. Ivey, served the con¬ 
gregation many years. 

In 1907 the Methodist church was sold to “Uncle” Jack Stevens, 
and the present cement block building was erected on a lot donated 
by W. A. Jones, with W. E. Johnson, pastor; J. E. Bell, Sunday 
school supt.; W. A. Jones, H. J. Myrick, J. H. Kennington, C. C. 
Johnson, J. R. Stevens, C. E. Frasuer and J. T. Clements, stew¬ 
ards; J. W. Hooks, H. J. Myrick and S. W. Lee, building committee. 
In the tower now hangs the same bell that was purchased with do¬ 
nations solicited by Miss Theresa Solomon and the writer in 1887, 
and hung in the old church belfry 20 years. Long may it continue 
to call God’s people to His house of worship. 

In 1924 the Baptist congregation realizing that more commodious 
quarters were needed, erected the imposing edifice now in use, 
facing the school building, with Hugh Wallace, pastor; J. T. Dupree, 
Sr.; J. T. Dennard, C. E. Davis,- D. E. Tindall, Ed. Ward, F. P. 
Key, and J. E. Gladdin, deacons; W. B. Ryle, J. W. Brooks, Sr., and 
B. E. Dupree building committee and W. W. Brooks, clerk. 

Among the first merchants in Gordon were Eli Frasuer, Jack 
Lavender, Isaac Newell, Jack Williams and James Fulton. 

The first bank to be built in Gordon and operated for several years* 
was the Peoples Bank, 1904, with W. A. Jones, president. The Farm¬ 
ers and Merchants Bank was organized in 1919 with Ira Stinson, 
president. The town not being financially able to support two banks 
the Peoples Bank soon failed and the Farmers and Merchants Bank, 
did not long survive. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


395 


The writer has seen many changes in the development and growth 
of Gordon which is the largest town in Wilkinson County. 

Mrs. J. W. Hooks. 


ROSTER OF THE WILKINSON COUNTY COMPANIES IN 
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 

The compiler is deeply indebted to Mrs. Dora Porter Hanson 
for the copying of the Rosters in the Office of the Roster Commis¬ 
sion in Atlanta for this history. 

And also extends his thanks to Governor L. G. Hardman, Adju¬ 
tant General Homer C. Parker and the other members of the Roster 
Commission and to Miss Nan Wood and Miss Lillian Henderson for 
their courtesy and aid in obtaining these lists. 

For the sake of brevity the following symbols are used: 
x enlisted April 26, 1861. 
o enlisted June 10, 1861. 
b enlisted July 9, 1861. 
a enlisted August 21, 1861. 
h enlisted October 11, 1861. 
m3 enlisted March 4, 1862. 
m enlisted May 3, 1862. 
j enlisted June 1, 1864. 
c. captured. 

f sent home to superintend the farm, 
e captured at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, and exchanged, 
pr. promoted. 

w wound, wounds or wounded, 
res. resigned, 
d died. 

dis. discharged. 

transf. transferred. 

z served through the war. 

m2 mustered out at Augusta, Mar. 14, 1865. 

si surrendered Augusta, Ga. 

s2 surrendered Milledgeville, Ga. 

s3 surrendered Greensboro, Ga. 

* surrendered Appomattox April 9, 1865. 

MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY I, 

3RD REGIMENT, GEORGIA VOLUNTEER 
INFANTRY, C. S. A. WILKINSON COUNTY 

CARSW r ELL, N. A., Capt. a, res. 2-14-63, disability. 
CARSWELL, W. E., 1st Lieut, a, w. Malvern Hill, Va., 7-1-62, pr. 
Capt. 3-15-63, w. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, w. Petersburg, Va., 
6-22-64, on wounded furlough 4-65. 

CUMMINGS, ROBERT, 2nd Lieut, a, d. 6-29-62 Richmond, Va. 
WINN, JAMES F., Jr., 2nd Lieut, a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, pr. 

1st Lieut. 3-15-63, k Deep Bottom, 8-16-64. 

THOMPSON, A. C. C., 1st Serg., 8-21-61, w. King’s Schoolhouse, 
6-26-62, pr. Asst. Surgeon 8-26-62, *. 


.396 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


O’BANON, WILLIAM, 2nd Sergt. a, pr. 1st Serg. 8-26-62, k. 
Chancellorsville 542-63. 

PRICE, R. A., 3rd Sergt., a, w. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, dis. 12-11-63, 
disability. 

MANSON 1 , A. C., 4th Sergt. a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, discharged 
account of w. ’63. 

WHIPPLE, ALLEN, 5th Sergt., a, Dis. 9-61, disability. 
LINDSEY, JAMES A., 1st Corp., a, w. Sharpsburg, 9-17-62, elected 
2nd Lieut. 3-15-63, w. Chancellorsville 5-3-63, k. Gettysburg 
7-2-63. 

JORDAN, J. G., 2nd Corp., a, c. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, d. prison Ft. 
Delaware. 

TRIBBLE, JOHN J., 3rd Corp., a, k. Sharpsburg, 9-17-62. 
FLEETWOOD, M. A., 4th Corp., a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, z. 


PRIVATE 

ALLEN, A. A., a, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 2-65, c. Farmville, 4-6-63, 
released after surrender. 

ANTHONY, H. T., '61, paroled in S. C. ’65. 

ALLEN, ROBERT O., a, detailed musician, w. Spottsylvania, 
5-14-64,*. 

BAILEY, ROBERT J., 4-27-61, paroled in Va. ’65. 

BARRON, THOMAS, a, dis. 9-25-6-, disability. 

BURDEN, GEORGE W., 7-64. 

BEALL, THOMAS T., 8-31-61, k. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. 

BELLFLOWER, MARCUS, 7-25-62, d. 8-29-62 in service. 

BLACKMAN, THOMAS, 4-20-61, paroled in Va. 4-9-65. 

BOSTICK, JOHN D., a, *, BRINSON, JOHN, ’61. 

BOYLES, PAT., a, — 7-2-62. BRACK, B. F., a, z. 

BRACK, RICHARD J., a, k. Sharpsburg, 9-17-62. 

BRAY, T. P., 3-64, si. 4-65. 

BURNEY, GUILFORD E., a, dis. 7-20-62, disability. 

CARR, BALUS, 5-5-62, *. CARR, JOSEPH A. J., 5-5-62, d. Staun¬ 
ton, 11-5-62. 

CARR, THOMAS A., a, lost leg Spottsylvania 5-14-64. 

CARSWELL, G. L., 5-30-62, dis. furnishing J. D. C. Trader as sub¬ 
stitute. 

CARSWELL, W. B., 5-20-62, dis. ’62 furnishing- as substi¬ 

tute. 

CATO, JAMES H., a, d. 4-10-62 in service. 

CAULEY, DAVID, a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, k. Petersburg 6-22-64. 

CHANDLER, JOE, a, d. 7-20-63 in service. 

CHEWING, J. T., a, d. Richmond 7-20-62. 

CUMMINGS, THOMAS N., a, d. 7-28-62 in service. CRAMER, W. 
T., ’62. 

COATS, JOHN G., 5-30-62, dis. 1-63 furnishing Afdam Sanders as 
substitute. 

COLEMAN, HENRY, 8-31-61, w. Manassas Gap, 7-23-63, c. Peters¬ 
burg 3-29-65, released after surrender. 

COLLINS, ASHLEY A., a, *. COLLINS, E. J., a, d. 7-27-62 in 
service. 

UOLLINS, JAMES J., a, *. 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


397 


COLSON, J. F., a, w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64 and dis. 

DAVIDSON, JOHN, 5-5-62, lost eye Chancellorsville 5-3-63 and 
dis. 

DAVIS, WILLIAM B., 5-30-62, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, *. 

DICKSON, THOMAS W., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, k. Gettysburg 
7-2-63. 

DuPRIEST, JAMES L., a, pr. 1st Serg. 3-15-63, w. & c. Manassas 
Gap 7-23-63, released after surrender. 

ETHRIDGE, ROBERT J., a, d. in service 7-63. 

EVANS, W. J., a, k. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. FAMBROUGH, PENN, 
’62. 

FAULK, WILLIAM, a, *. FLOYD, W. H., a. 

FOUNTAIN, I. J., a, *. FOUNTAIN, JOHN A., a, d. 7-10-64 Rich¬ 
mond. 

GARRETT, GEORGE W., a, d. 7-10-62. 

GARRETT, W. J., a, k. Spottsylvania 5-14-64. 

GATES, JOHN G., 5-30-62, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, w. Chancellors¬ 
ville 5-14-64, *. 

GILBERT, L. F., ’64. GRAY, JOHN F., a,-2-6-65. 

GREEN, JOHN E., 4-61, si ’65. 

HALL, WILLIAM O., a, pr. 3rd Sergt. 3-15-63, *. 

HERNDON, F. I., 6-1-61, dis. 10-64. 

HICKS, JAMES C., a, pr. 4th Sergt. 3-15-63, Color-Sergt. ’64, Color- 
Bearer 2-65, elected 1st Lieut. 2-65, *. 

HARRISON, M. J., 4-64, furloughed 2-65, sick. 

HOLDER, THOMAS F., a, d. 5-8-62 Portsmouth. 

HORNE, CURTIS, a,-12-14-63. 

HOOKS, JOHN R., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, k. Spottsylvania 
5-14-64. 

HORNE, JAMES B., 5-10-62, k. Gettysburg 7-2-63. 

HORTON, JAMES E., a, k. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62. 

HUGHES, BENJAMIN F., a, k. Hatcher’s Run, 2-6-65. JOINER, 
B. F., a. 

JOINER, DENNIS, a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, * 

JOYNER, D. F., 7-61, *. JUSTICE, JAMES, a,-2-7-65. 

JUSTICE, JOHN L., a, *. JACKSON, J. H., ’62, paroled in N. C. 
’65. 

JUSTICE, MOSES M., a, *. KELL, ISAAC, a, k. Sharpsburg 
9-17-62. 

KING, HIRAM J., a ; c. High Bridge 4-6-65, released after sur¬ 
render. 

KINGERY, WILLOUGHBY J., a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, w. & 
disabled at Crater, Petersburg, Va. 7-30-64, survivor. 

KITTELS, NEWTON J., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, w. Sharpsburg 
9-17-62, *. 

LASSITER, JACOB, a, dis. 7-62 over-age. 

LAWSON, JAMES, a, z. 

LINDSEY, GREEN J., a, w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64, *. 

LINDSEY, JOHN W., a, pr. 2nd Sergt. 3-15-63, w. Spottsylvania 
5-14-64, w. Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65, on wounded furlough 4-65. 

LORD, JARMON W., a, k. Sharpsburg 9-17-62. LORD, JERRY 
W., a, * 





398 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


LORD, JOHN M., a, z. McCULLARS, R. D., a, *. MASON, JOHN 
C., a. 

MATHIS, DAVID, a, k. Manassas Gap 7-23-63. 

MATHIS, JOHN a, d. 12-63 in service. 

MORRIS, EDWARD M., 4-61, paroled in Va. 4-65. 

MEADOWS, HIRAM, 5-10-62, k. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62. 

MURPHEY, E. W., a, - 7-63. 

NISBET, PLEMON, a, pr. 2nd Sergt. 6-2-62, w. Sharpsburg 

9- 17-62, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, d. 3-64 in service. 

NISBET, ELBERT J., 5-10-62, d. Staunton 6-26-62. 

OCKINGTON, JAMES G., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, w. Sharps¬ 
burg 9-17-62, retired and appointed enrolling officer 10-63. 

OUTLAW, BENTLEY, 5-30-62, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, w. Spottsyl- 
vania 5,14-64, w. Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65, in hospital 4-65. 

OUTLAW, J. M., 5-10-62, k. Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65. 

PARROTT, WILEY, a, d. in service 7-10-62. 

PAYNE, JAMES W., 5-10-62, w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64, *. 

PAYNE, JOSEPH B., a,-2-65. PEED, JOHN F., a, k. Gettys¬ 

burg 7-2-63. 

PIERCE, ALFRED J., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. 

PIERCE, EZEKIEL J., 5-10-62, k. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. 

PIERCE, WILLIAM H., 5-10-62, k. Deep Bottom 8-16-64. 

PITTMAN, GREEN M., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, w. Hatcher’s 
Run 2-6-65, in hospital 4-65. 

PRICE, W. H., 5-10-62, *. REED, WILLIAM H., a, d. 2-13-63 in 
service, disease. 

ROBINSON, KING D., a, k. Sharpsburg 9-17-62. 

ROOKS, JOHN T., 4-1-62, d. in service 63. 

ROSENBURG, SAMUEL, a, pr. 5th Sergt. 9-62, dis. ’64 furnishing 
Ludwick Schmidt as substitute. 

ROLLINS, ISHAM. SALTER, F. M., 5-10-62, - 2-65. 

SALTER, WILLIAM H., a, w. Wilderness 5-6-64, pr. Corp., *. 

SANDERS, WILLIAM G., a, c. Gettysburg 7-2-63, released after 
surrender. 

SANDERS, ADAM, 1-25-63, substitute for John G. Coats, k. Gettys¬ 
burg 7-2-63. 

SCHMIDT, LUDWICK, 9-1-63, substitute for Sam Rosenburg,- 

10- 20-63. 

SHINHOLSER, JACK, a, *. SKIPPER, ALLEN W., a, *. 

SMITH, GRIFFIN, a, *. SMITH, JAMES R., 5-10-62, z. 

SMITH, JOHN A. N., a, k. Petersburg 7-30-64. SMITH, LOUIS, 
a, z. 

STALLINGS, WM. H., 4-61, dis. 4-62. 

STUCKEY, HOWELL, a, c. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, took oath of alle¬ 
giance to U. S. Govt. 

SINGLEY, JNO., c. d. in prison and buried at Camp Chase Con¬ 
federate Cemetery, Grave No. 2005. 

SUTTON, J. FRANK, a, d. 10-10-61 in service. 

SUTTON, RICHMOND J., a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, k. Gettys¬ 
burg 7-2-63. 

SUTTON, W. S., a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, d. 11-20-62 of w. 

TAYLOR, DAVID C., a, w. 2nd Manassas 8-30-62, *. 

TENT, THOMAS J., ’61. 





HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


399 


THOMPSON, GEORGE W., a, d. Richmond ’63. 

TURNER, STARLING, ’61, k. in Ga., ’64. 

TRADOR, J. D. C., 5-30-02, substitute for G. L. Carswell, k. Peters¬ 
burg 6-22-64. 

THURSBY, W. J., ’64, paroled Macon, Ga., ’65. 

VAUGHN, JOHN E., a, w. Manassas Gap, 7-23-63 and dis. 

VINSON, JOHN, ’61. WARD, MIKE, a, k. 7-4-63 Williamsport. 

WALTERS, JAMES F., a, k. Gettysburg 7-2-63. 

WARNER, HENRY C., a, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62 and permanently 
disabled. 

WARNER, WILLIAM T., a, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, - Peters¬ 

burg 2-65. 

WATKINS, DAVID J., a, w. Malvern Hill, 7-1-62, k. Gettysburg 
7-2-63. 

WILSON, EDWARD, ’61, served until ’64, w. and disabled for 
further duty. 

WATKINS. JOHN L., 5-10-62, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, k. Manassas 
Gap 7-23-63. 

WILLIAMS, E. J., a, *. 

WILL T AMS, JAMES A., a, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, *. 

WILLIAMS, J. C., a, * 

WILLIAMS, WILLIAM C. R., a, d. 4-12-62 Portsmouth of fever. 

WYNN, JACKSON W., 8-21-61, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, elected 
Jr. 2nd Lieut. 7-63, w. and permanently disabled Petersburg 
6-22-64. 

WYNN, M. L., a, k. Sharpsburg 9-17-62. 

WYNN. PLEASANT A., a, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, k. Spottsyl- 
vania 5-14-64. 

YOUNG, MARK H., ’64, paroled Macon, Ga., ’65. 


MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY “F” 3RD REGIMENT, 
GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, C. S. A. 

WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA 

BEALL, WM. 0., Captain, x. Ret. at exp. of term 4-28-62. (d. at 
home July, 1862 L 

CLAY, DAVID M., 1st Lieut, x. Res. July, ’62, 

WASHINGTON, SAMUEL H„ 2nd Lieut, x. Res. 4-28-’62. 

RIVERS, JONATHAN, Jr., 2nd Lieut, x. Res. Nov. ’61. Re-enlisted 
and elected Major 49th Ga. Inf. 

BOATRIGHT, M. E. 1st Sergt. x. Pr. 1st Lieut. July, ’61. Res. 
4-28-’62. 

CLAY, EDMUND W., 2nd Sergt. x. Dis. Dec. ’61, disability. 

BEALL, AUGUSTUS A., 3rd Sergt. x. Dis. Aug. ’62, under age. 

PITTMAN, BENJAMIN F., 4th Sergt. x. d. in service 2-28-62. 

HYMAN, ROBERT G., 5th Sergt. x. Pr. 2nd Lieut. ’64. Served 
through war. 

HALL, M. A., 1st Corp. x. k. Crater, 4-30-64. 

PITTMAN, JAMES, 2nd Corp, x dis. Jan. ’64. 

BRANAN, J. L., 3rd Corp. x. Dis. July ’62. 

HASTON, T. J., 4th Corp. x. Pr. 3rd Sergt 4-28-62, k. Crater, 7-30-64. 



400 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


PRIVATES 

ADKINS, J. W., x. k. Crater, 7-30-64. ADKINS, J. S. x. k. Peters¬ 
burg 7-6-64. 

ADKINS, D. J. 

ASHMORE, J. S., o. w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64. Appointed Chaplain 
of 25th Ga. Reg. and transferred ’64. 

BLOODWORTH, MORGAN M., o. Pr. 3rd Sergt. 4-28-62, w. Spotts¬ 
ylvania 5-14-64. *. 

BLOODWORTH, J. D., o. Captured at Sharpsburg, 9-17-62, d. in 
prison ’64. 

BLOODWORTH, J. H., 9-10-61. *. 

BLOODWORTH, A. R., 7-24-64, served through War. 

BRANNAN, J. K., o. Pr. Corp. ’63. *. 

BRANNAN, JOHN F., x. w. at Gettysburg 7-2-63. *. 

BRANAN, JASPER N., o. d. in service 7-8-62. BRACK, M. M. o. *. 
BREWER, J. M., x. k. at Malvern Hill, 7-1-62. BREWER, J. J. 
BREWER, T. F., 6-12-62. Served through war. BREWER, DANIEL, 
9-9-61, Pr. Corp. 64, *. 

BROWN, D. F., x. pr. 1st Sergt. 61, pr. 1st Lieut. 4-28-62, w. 
Sharpsburg 9-17-62, w. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, res. account of 
wound ’63. 

BROWN, GEO., x, d. in service 3-18-63. BROWN, M. E., x, *. 
BURKE, JOEL, x, w. and lost leg at Hatcher’s Run, 2-6-65, dis. 
BURKE, DANIEL, 10-10-61. Lost eye at Gettysburg 7-2-63, dis. 
Jan. ’65. 

BUTLER, E. A., x. k. Crater 7-30-64. BUTLER, A. M., 11-5-62, *. 
BEALES, W. H., x, dis. 9-16-61. BENYHILL, W. W., 9-10-61, dis. 
BRAZEALL, B. S., o. *. BAKER, J., 8-10-62, substitute for J. N. 
Parker. 

CHAMBERS, F., x, pr. 1st Sergt. 4-28-62, w. 2nd Manassas 8-30-62, 
dis. 1-1-64. 

CHAMBERS, IRA, 5-8-62, pr. Sergt. ’63 w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, 
served through war. 

CANNON, WILLIAM FRANK, x. pr. 2nd Sergt. 4-28-63, w. Get¬ 
tysburg 7-2-63, pr. 1st Sergt., ’64, lost arm at Spottsylvania 
5-14-64, dis. 

CANNON, F. A., o. w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, dis. account of wound. 
CANNON, W. H., 9-10-64, w. Manassas Gap, 7-23-63, d. of w. 

8- 9-63. 

CANNON, E. B., o, w. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, dis. 7-24-63. 
CANNON, B. F., x, k. Richmond, Va., 6-18-62. CARROLL, J. T. 
COOK, J. M., 9-10-61, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, d. of w. 10-9-62. 
CUMMINGS, A. H., x, pr. 2nd Lieut. Nov. ’61, w. Sharpsburg 

9- 17-62, res. 3-63. 

DAVIS, T. M., x, w. Crater 7-30-64, k. Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65. 
DAVIS, O. M., x, pr. 3rd Corp. w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, d. of w. 
7-5-63. 

DAVIS, E. J., x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63 dis. 

DAVIS, J. H. E., 5-1-64, w. Hatcher’s Run, 2-6-65, d. of w. 2-9-65. 
DEANS, W. H., x, Captured at Gettysburg 7-2-63. 

DEESE, W. M., x, k. Sawyer’s Lane, 4-19-62. 

DUPREE, J. T., 9-10-61, w. Chancellorsville, 5-4-63, w. Crater 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


401 


7- 30-64, lost eye at Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65, home on wounded 
furlough at close of war. 

DUPREE, B. I., 9-16-61, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, d. of w. 7-9-62. 
ETHRIDGE, W. F., x, W. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, dis. 8-62. 
ETHRIDGE, L. M., x, w. Chancellorsville 5-2-63, *. 

ETHRIDGE, N. J., x, Served through the war. 

FISHER, HARRIS, x, pr. Asst. Surgeon and assigned to 61st Ga. 
Reg. 

GAINEY, JAMES H., o, transferred to 49th Ga. Reg. ’64. 
GAINEY, JACOB, o, w. and cap. Gettysburg 7-2-63. 

GARRETT, H. N., o, d. 6-21-62. GILBERT, A. P., x, k. Malvern 
Hill 7-1-62. 

GILBERT, B. T., x, d. 6-27-62. GOLDEN, E. F., x, k. Chancellors¬ 
ville 5-4-63. 

GOLDEN, W. L., x, k. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. GREEN, H. M., x, d. 
Portsmouth, ’61. 

HATFIELD, C. T., 9-10-61, d. 3-18-63. 

HATFIELD, J. T., 9-9-61, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, w. Crater 7-30-64, *. 
HARRELL, W. R., 6-8-61, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, *. 

HARTLEY, H. A., 4-26-61, w. and cap. Gettysburg 7-2-63. 
HERNDON, C. M., o, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, d. of w. 7-25-62. 
HERNDON, F. I., o, served through war. HOLDER, J. H. 
HOLLAND, W. G., x, d. Portsmouth ’61.* 

HOOKS, A. C., x, pr. 1st Sergt. 64, *. 

HORTON, LEVY, x, dis. 8-62, over age. HOWARD, J. J., x, dis, 

8- 62, over age. 

HUGHS, E. F., x, appointed Color Guard, w. Manassas Gap 7-23-63. 
HUGHS, J. T., o, dis. ’61. 

JONES, J. G., o, k. Crater 7-30-64. JONES J. W. 7-5-62, served 
through war. 

JONES, JOHN WESLEY, 1-8-64, k. Spottsylvania, 5-14-64. 
JORDAN, THOMAS JEFF, x, pr. 1st Lieut. 12-64, *. 

JORDAN, LEVY, x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, d. of w. 8-1-63. 
KIRKLAND, W. A., o, lost eye at Gettysburg 7-2-63, dis. 

LORD, JAMES H., x, k. Gettysburg 7-2-63. 

LEWIS, RICHARD J., x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, w. Ream’s Station 
7-1-64 and disabled. 

MASON, J. W. 

MASON, JAMES A., o, pr. 2nd Lieut. 4-28-62, pr. Capt. 5-2-63, w. 
Chancellorsville 5-2-63, w. Manassas Gap 7-23-63, w. Crater 
7-30-64, w. Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65, home on furlough at close of 
war. 

MASON, NATHANIEL E., o, dis. 8-62, over age, re-enlisted 12-62, *. 
McKENZIE, TIMOTHY A., 4-26-61, dis. ’61. 

McGRAW, ANDREW J., x, - 1-18-65. McLENE, JAMES. 

McNAIR, R. M., o, dis. 8-62, under age. 

McNEAL, J. E., 4-26-61, dis. 8-62, over age, re-enlisted in 10th Ga. 
Battalion. 

MEADOWS, J. T. MEADOWS, F. M., x, *. 

MEREDITH, JOHN, x, pr. Sergt. 4-28-62, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, 
d. of w. 7-10-62. 

NESBITT, JOSEPH, x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, *. 



402 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


OGBURN, J. W., 9-10-61, w. Gettysburg- 7-2-63, w. and captured 
Hatcher’s Run 2-6-65, d. in prison. 

OGBURN, E. E., 9-10-61, w. Manassas Gap 7-23-63, *. 

PARKER, ROBERT H., o, pr. Sergt. k. Crater 7-30-64. 
PARKER, C.C., 5-8-64, w. 5-14-64 Spottsylvania, w. Hatcher’s Run 
2-6-65, home w. at close of war. 

PARKER, J. U., o, w. Chancellorsville 5-3-63, w. Spottsylvania 
5-14-64, *. 

PARKER, J. T., 4-1-64, transferred from 49th Ga. Reg. served 
through war. 

PARKER, JASPER N., o, dis. furnishing J. Baker as substitute. 
PEACOCK, LEWIS L., x, dis. 8-61, over age. 

PENNINGTON, T. H., 5-8-62, k. Farmville 4-8-65. 
PENNINGTON, J. R., x, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, d. of w. 9-21-62. 
PENNINGTON, DAVID B., o, w. Sharpsburg 9-17-62, *. 

PIERCE, J. T., o, pr. Sergt., *. PITTMAN, A. J., 9-10-63, k. Crater 
7-3-64. 

PHILLIPS, J. G., x, k. Richmond 6-18-62. 

PLAYER, SAMUEL P., x, w. at 2nd Manassas 8-30-62, d. of w. 
10-9-62. 

PORTER, C. F., x, lost eye Petersburg 7-22-64, dis. 

RIVERS, R. L., 9-61, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, dis. 

ROSENBERG, ROFE, x, k. Richmond 6-18-62. 

RYLE. WILLIAM T., x, w. Malvern Hill 7-1-62, dis. 

SCHMITT, G. E., o, k. Malvern Hill 7-1-62. 

SHEPHERD, J. H., x, dis. 6-17-62 disability. 

SHEPHERD, H. F., 9-10-62, w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64, *. 
SPENCE, RICHARD H., x, d. of disease 6-16-62, SPENCE, J. S., 

X ^ 

SPENCE, J. A., x, k. Crater 7-30-64. SPENCE, J. M. 9-9-62, k. 
Petersburg ’64. 

SMITH, J. J. L., x, dis. 4-63, furnishing W. W. Williams as sub¬ 
stitute 

STANLEY, R A., x, appointed Quartermaster Sergt. 5-9-61, dis. 

5-62, furnishing James McCue as substitute. 

STEVENS, J. W., o, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, served through war. 
TARPLEY, EDWARD a., x, captured, released after surrender. 
TILLERY, WILLIAM H., 6-8-61, *. 

USURY, WILLIAM, x, d. in 6-7-61. 

VANLANDINGHAM, J. N., x, w. Hatcher’s Run, 2-6-65, home on 
furlough at close of war. 

VANLANDINGHAM, J. T., x, w. Spottsylvania 5-14-64, d. of w. 
Richmond 5-27-64. 

VAUGHN, A. J., x, served through war. 

WALTERS, ISOM W., x, pr. Capt. 4-62, res. 5-2-62. 

WILLIAMS, W. P., x, Manassas Gap 7-23-63, *. 

WILLIAMS, J. M., o, w. and captured Gettysburg 7-2-63, d. in prison 
Fort Delaware 12-13-63. 

WILLIAMSON, G. W., o, *, WHITAKER. W. R., 9-10-62, *. 
WHITAKER, N. P., 12-6-62, w. mortally Crater 7-30-64. 
WHITAKER, N. T., 4^28-64, transferred from 49th Ga. Reg., w. 

Petersburg, 6-22-64, dis. 

WOOD, G. B., x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, dis. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


403 


WOOD, S. L., x, w. Gettysburg 7-2-63, transferred to 49th Ga. 
Reg. ’64. 

MUSTER ROLL OF CO. B 14TH REGIMENT GEORGIA 


VOLUNTEER INFANTRY C. S. A. WILKINSON 
COUNTY, GA., “RAMAH GUARDS.” 

FOLSON, ROBERT W., Capt., b, pr. Major, 14th Regt. Ga. Vol. 
Inf. 8-1-61. Lieut.-Col. 9-1-61; Colonel 10-23-62, w. Wilderness 

5- 6-64, d. of w. 

KELLY, CHARLES C., 1st Lieut, b, pr. Capt. 9-1-61, res. 12-23-62, 
re-enlisted as a private 1-63, restored as Capt. 1-27-63, pr. 
Major 14th Regt. Ga. Vol. Inf. 6-8-64, c. Richmond 4-3-65, and 
paroled there 5-30-65. 

SOLOMON, WASHINGTON J., 2nd Lieut, b, pr. 1st Lieut. 9-1-61, 
w. Fredericksburg 12-13-62, d. of w. Richmond 12-18-62. 
LINGO, JOHN T., Jr., 2nd Lieut. 7-9-61, res. 9-11-61. 
McARTHUR, JOHN, 1st Sergt. b, 7-9-61, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 
9-12-61, res. disability 6-26-62. 

RYLES, WILLIAM N., 2nd Sergt. b, 7-9-61, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 

6- 26-62, 1st Lieut. 1-10-63, Capt. 8-64. *. 

WHITAKER, MARK A., 3rd Sergt. b, appointed 2nd Sergt. 
1-10-63, *. 

SHELVERTON, NORMAN, 4th Sergt., b, w. Cheat Mt. 9-12-61, 
dis. disability Manassas 11-29-61, enlisted as a private in A. E. 
Philips Legion Ga. Cavalry 5-12-62, roll for 9 and 10-64 shows 
him “absent, detailed by order of General Lee, 9-21-64.” 
SOLOMON, CHARLES N., 1st Corp., b, dis. disability 10-19-61. 
LAVENDER, LEMUEL, 2nd Corp., b, d. disease Danville, Va., 
12-14-62. 

GOODMAN, HENRY, 3rd Corp., b, w. Chancellorsville, 5-3-63, 
appointed 1st Sergt. ’63, w. and disabled Wilderness 5-6-64, c. 
Petersburg 4-2-65, released Pt. Lookout prison 6-4-65. 
RYLES, ADAMS J., 4th Corp., b, w. and c., d. pyaemia De Camp 
General Hospital, David’s Island, N. Y., 8-9-63. 

DYKES, JOSEPH J., Musician, b, *. 

PRIVATES 

AYCOCK, BARTON JASPER, b. detailed provost guard ’64, absent 
on furlough 2-65. 

BALES, J. R., b. d. ’61. BARBEE, GREEN H., b. d. Va., 10-12-61. 
BARNETT, LEONARD, b, k. Fredericksburg 12-13-62. 

BARNETT, RICHARD, b, d. ’61, BASS, ELIJAH L., b, d. Edray 
9-20-61. 

BOSTICK, JOHN R., b, *. 

BREWER, JOEL, b, admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No. 3, Rich¬ 
mond with fever 3-4-62, ret. to duty 4-15-62, k. Seven Pines 
5-31-62. 

BUSH, BENJAMIN H., b, dis. disability Manassas 11-29-61. 
BUSH, WILLIAM J., b, dis. 10-22-61. 

CHRISTIAN, D. FRANKLIN, 3-4-62, *, CHRISTIAN, GEORGE, 
b, k. Seven Pines 5-31-62. 

COLLINS, JASPER A. (or G.), 5-9-62, k. near Richmond 6-26-62. 
CONE, JACKSON, b, “received pay 2-27-62.” 


404 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


CRAWFORD, JAMES HARRISON, b, appointed 5th Sergt. 9-14-61, 

CROOMS, RABUN L., b, appointed Sergt. ’63, k. Wilderness, 

5- 6-64. 

CROOMS, SHADRICK, b, *, CUMBEST, HENRY, 3-4-62, k. Spotts- 
ylvania 5-14-64. 

DENNARD, ALEXANDER C., b, w. admitted to Jackson Hospital 
Richmond with dysentery 10-12 and d. 10-26-64. 

DENNARD, CHARLES D., b, w. and c. Jericho Ford 5-23-64, pa¬ 
roled Pt. Lookout prison 3-14-65. 

DENNARD, GEORGE, 5-9-62, k. Seven Pines 5-31-62. 

DIXON, H., b, d. Richmond 8-62. DIXON, J. TIP., b, d. Richmond 
1-13-63. 

DIXON, ROMULUS, b, d. Orange Court House 9-6-63. 

DIXON, WILLIAM H., 7-8-61, d. 12-17-61. 

DUMFRY, A. J., b, d. Richmond 6-15-63. 

DYKES, HENRY A., b, absent on sick furlough 2-65. 

DYKES, JAMES J., 3-4-62, w. Chancellorsville 5-3-63, *. 

DYKES, MOSES P., b, d. Va. ’61. 

DYKES, WARREN H., b, appointed 3rd Sergt. 1-10-63, w., absent 
on furlough 2-65. 

ETHRIDGE, BRYANT, b, c. Richmond, Va., hospital 4-3-65. 

FIELDING, JOHN, 5-8-62, w. 2nd Manassas, Va., 8-30-62, absent 
on sick furlough 2-65. 

FLEMISTER, JAMES MADISON, 5-9-62, w. Fredericksburg, 
12-13-62, c. Wilderness 5-6-64, d. 7-31-64 (also shown as Spotts- 
ylvania 5-12-64. Non-official records show he d. at Pt. Lookout 
Md., prison, buried in cemetery there.) 

GALLOWAY, JACKSON J., b, hospital sick 6-64, dis. over age. 

GEE, SAMUEL J., b, appointed Corp. ’62, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 

6- 10-63; 2nd Lieut. ’64, w. Wilderness 5-6-64, c. Petersburg 
4-2-65, released Johnson’s Island prison 6-18-65. 

GLENN, B., b, c. d. Richmond, Va. 7-28-62. 

GOODMAN, SOLOMON, 3-4-62, transf. to Brigade band. 

GREEN, CULLEN T., 5-9-62, k. 9-62. 

GRIER, JAMES C. COLUMBUS, 3-31-62, *. GRIER, W. MITCH¬ 
ELL 3-31-62 * 

HARDY, JOSEPH, b, transf. to C. S. Navy, ’62. 

HARVEY, E. W., b,-. HATHORNE, JOEL, 7-27-63, d. 

HATHORNE, ROBERT S., 7-22-63, detailed for light duty account 
of disability Richmond, Va., 7-19-64, d. Richmond 7-20-64. 

HATHORNE, STEPHEN J., 7-9-61” Present Oct. ’61. 

HEYWOOD (or HAYWOOD), WESLEY, b, admitted to General 
Hospital No. 1 Danville, Va. 1-7-62, sent to General Hospital 
Richmond ’62, d. ’62. 

HELTON, JAMES M., b, d. Marlin’s Bottom, Va. 9-18-61. 

JESSUP, JOSEPH A., b, d. 8-8-62. 

JONES, WILEY B., b, c. Petersburg 4-2-65, released Pt. Lookout 
Md., prison 6-28-65. 

KELLY, GEORGE E., 3-4-62, d. on way to Ga. on sick furlough 
1 - 6 -. 

KELLY, JAMES R., b, lost leg Jericho Ford 5-23-64, dis. disability 
9-24-64. 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


405 


KENNINGTON, BRITTON, b, w. Cold Harbor 6-2-64, c. Wilkinson 
Co., Ga. 11-22-64, released Pt. Lookout prison 6-28-65. 

KENNINGTON, DANIEL, b, k. Chancellorsville 5-3-63. 

KENNINGTON, ELI M., 5-9-62, c., released Pt. Lookout prison ’65. 

KENNINGTON, JOHN COATS, b, k. Wilderness 5-6-64. 

KING, JOHN G., b, d. disease Chimborazo Hospital No. 5, Richmond, 
Va., 3-26-62. 

LANGFORD, JAMES, b, w. Wilderness 5-6-64, absent sick furlough 
2-65. 

LANGFORD, WILLIAM, b, d. General Hospital No. 16, Richmond, 
between Nov. 1st and Dec. 11, ’62. 

LESLIE, JAMES, 3-4-62, w. Chancellorsville 5-3-63, Wilderness 
5-6-64, dis. disability 7-20-64. 

LESLIE, JOEL, 3-4-62, In General Hospital, Farmville, Va., 9-11-62, 
admitted to General Hospital Camp Winder, Richmond, 5-12-63, 
and furloughed for 60 days 6-12-63, d. typhoid fever Alabama 
Hospital, Richmond, Va., 11-17-63. 

LYLES, HAMILTON, b, k. near Richmond, Va., 6-26-62. 

MATHIS, ELI, 3-9-64, k. Petersburg 4-65. 

MIXON, ETHRIDGE T., 7-9-61, w. Fredericksburg 12-13-62, *. 

MORGAN, JOHN T., b, c. Petersburg 4-2-65, released Pt. Lookout 
prison 6-29-65. 

MEYERS, DANIEL, 3-9-62, dis. disability near Brand Station 
10-20-63. 

MEYERS, JOHN M., 5-9-62, w. Fredericksburg 12-13-62, c, Macon, 
Ga., Hospital 4-65. 

MYERS, SEABORN F., b, c. near Petersburg 3-25-65, released Pt. 
Lookout prison 5-15-65. 

MEYERS, WILLIAM E., b, w. and disabled Wilderness 5-6-64, dis. 
disability 1-7-65. 

MYRICK, JAMES RICHARD, b, c. Petersburg 4-2-65, released Pt. 
Lookout prison 6-29-65. 

McDaniel, Washington m., b, *. nelson, john floyd, 
b, *. 

PARKER, JOHN C., b, appointed Corp., *. 

RAINES, SAMUEL P., b, appointed Corp., *. 

RAMAGE, JOSEPH, b, d. disease at home 8-20-64. 

RANDALL, ADDISON, b, dis. disability General Hospital No. 2, 
Richmond, Va., 7-30-63, and from same place account of tuber¬ 
culosis 8-21-63. 

READDY, THOMAS J., b, sick 10-61, d. measles, Staunton, ’61. 

REYNOLDS, ROBERT, h, on sick furlough, 6-65, d. 

ROGERS, JAMES J., b, d. Rockbridge Alum Springs, 11-1-61. 

RYLE, ADAM F., 5-5-64, on detail duty, mail carrier, close of war. 

RYLE, DANIEL J., b, absent sick, Rockbridge Alum Springs, 10-61. 

RYLE, JOHN, 3-10-64, c. Spottsylvania 5-1,2-64, d. erysipelas, Ft. 
Delaware, Del. prison, 5-9-65. 

SANDERS, GOVEY B., b, d. 8-18-62. SANDERS, JAMES W., b, *. 

SANDERS, JOHN D., 5-5-64, “present 6-64.” SANDERS, JOHN 
J., Sr., 11-20-61, d. 

SANDERS, JOHN J., Jr., 11-20-63, *. 

SANDERS, MALACHI M., Sr., 5-9-62, c. Wilderness 5-5-64, re¬ 
leased Elmira, N. Y., prison 6-19-65. 


406 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


SANDERS, MALACHI M., Jr., 9-1-62, *. SANDERS, SILAS J., 
10-8-63, *. 

SANDERS, WILLIAM J., b, d. Edray, W. Va., 10-5-61. 

SANDERS, WILLIAM L., 5-9-62, w., on wounded furlough, 2-65, 
furlough extended account of w. 3-28-65. 

SAVAGE, WILLIAM J. R., b, d. typhoid fever, General Hospital, 
Orange Court House, Va., 12-12-61. 

SHARP, DEMPSEY, b, d. 11-1-62. SHARP, THOMAS, b, *. 

SHARP, WILLIAM, b, c. Spottsylvania 5-12-64, exc. James Rivers, 
3-10-65. 

SHEFFIELD, JOHN M., b, appointed 4th Sergt. ’63, 2nd Sergt., 
’63, c. Petersburg, 4-2-65, released Pt. Lookout prison, 6-19-65. 

SMALLWOOD, ELIJAH, b. *. 

SMALLWOOD, JACKSON, 9-1-62, detailed for light duty by order 
of Gen. Lee, Jan. or Feb., ’65. 

SMALLWOOD, THOMAS, b, dis. disability 2-7-62, re-enlisted 
9-1-62, w. Fredericksburg, 12-13-62, “present, 2-28-65.” 

SMALLWOOD, WILLIAM, b, w. and disabled Chancellorsville, 
5-3-63, dis. disability, Orange Court House, 11-20-63. 

SMITH, LARKIN T., b, w. Fredericksburg, 12-13-62, dis. over age, 
7-9-64. 

SMITH, LEVI, 7-16-64, c. Richmond, Va., 4-3-65, released Pt. Look¬ 
out prison, 7-7-65. 

SMITH, WILEY J., b, appointed Corp. ’62, elected 2nd Lieut. ’63, 
1st Lieut. 8-64, w. Petersburg, Va., ’64, *. 

SOLOMON, HENRY A., enlisted as a private in Co. E, 1st Reg., 
Ga. Vol. Inf. (Ramsey’s) 3-18-61, transf. to Co. B, 14th Reg. 
Ga. Vol. Inf., 8-16-61, pr. 1st Lieut., k. Chancellorsville, 5-3-63. 

SOLOMON, J., b, d. Richmond, Va., 6-20-62. 

STINSON, WILLIAM D., 3-4-62, c. Petersburg, 4-2-65, released Ft. 
Delaware prison, 6-16-65. 

THOMPSON, A. H., b, d. Richmond, 12-13-61. UNDERWOOD, T. 
B., 3-4-62. 

VALENTINE, JOHN F., b, w. Mechanicsville, 6-26-64, d. of w. 
at home. 

WELCH, DAVID, b, d. ’63. 

WHEELER, WILLIAM, b, k. 2nd Manassas, 8-30-62. 

WILLIAMS, DREW ELVIN, 5-1-64, *. 

WILSON, JAMES R. M., 9-1-62, c. Spottsylvania, 5-12-64, exc. 
James River, 3-10-65. 

WOOD, JOSEPH, b, d. Rockbridge Alum Springs, 11-6-61. 

YOUNG, JOHN R., 10-4-61, lost two fingers, Wilderness, 5-6-64, 
detailed for light duty, Richmond, Jan. Feb., ’65. 


MUSTER ROLL OF CO. A 49TH REGIMENT GEORGIA VOLUN¬ 
TEER INFANTRY, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 

C. S. A., WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA 

WILKINSON INVINCIBLES 

PLAYER, SAMUEL T., Capt. m3, pr. Maj. 9-9-62, Lieut. Col. 
5-8-63, Col. 6-9-63, elected to Ga. Senate and resigned, Mar. 
24-64, W. R. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


407 


DUGGAN, JAMES B., 1st Lieut. Feb. or Mar. 4-62, elected Capt. 
9-9-62, Major, 5-11-64, z. 

WALKER, JOSHUA, 2nd Lieut, m3, resigned 10-2-62. 

MILLER, JAMES R. F., Jr., 2nd Lieut, m3, c. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, 
pr. 1st Lieut. 9-9-62, cashiered 9-17-63, z. 

VEAL, LEVI E., 1st Sergt. m3, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 10-18-63, pr. 
1st Lieut. 11-27-64, z. 

HALL, HANSFORD A., 2nd Sergt. m3, 1st Sergt. 11-63, w. Wilder¬ 
ness 5-6-64, retired to Invalids Corps. ’64. 

GREEN, ELLIOTT H., 3rd Sergt. m3, d. in service, 10-15-62. 

BURNEY, IVERSON L., 4th Sergt. m3, elected 2nd Lieut. 10-9-62, 
c. Gettysburg, 7-2-63, pr. 1st Lieut. 9-17-63, d. in prison, 11-27-64. 

KING, BENNETT, 5th Sergt. m3, Appointed 3rd Sergt. 10-15-62, 
2nd Sergt. 11-63, \v. Spottsylvania, 5-12-64. (Roll for Jan. and 
Feb., ’65 last on file shows him still in hospital wounded, W. R.) 

DAVIDSON, ALLEN, 1st Corp., m3, 7-63, and detailed with ordi¬ 
nance train, z. 

MILLER, ENOCH T., 2nd Corp. m3, discharge furnished H. G. 
Miller as substitute, 5-7-62, re-enlisted. 

WARD, RILEY B., 3rd Corp. m3, 8-7-62, c. Spottsplvania, 5-12-64, 
released after surrender. 

FREEMAN, JACOB M., 4th Corp., m3, pr. 3rd Corp. 12-62, on 
detached service 4-64. 


PRIVATES 


ADAIR, GEORGE W., m3, d. in hospital, 11-62. 

ADKINS, J. W., m3, d. Berryville, 11-8-62. 

ADKINS, WILLIAM J., m3, d. Camp Gregg, 7-9-63. 

ALLEN, THOMAS, m3, k. 2nd Manassas, 8-30-62. 

AVERY, DAVID, m3, dis. disability, 2-16-65. 

ARRINGTON, JAMES, 8-12-62, d. Camp Gregg, 2-4-63 (See C\>. F. 
49th Regt.) 

ADAMS, JAMES, 7-25-62, c. ’65, released. (Pt. Lookout, Md., prison, 
6-22-65, W. R.) 

BAILEY, WILLIAM H. H., m3, dis. disability, 3^28-64, W. R. 
BRADY, JAMES, m3, retired to Invalids Corps. P. A. C. S., 4-6-64, 

W. R. 

BRADY, THOMAS, m3, dis. 5-31-62. BROOKS, SAMUEL J., m., z. 
BROOKS, DANIEL H., 4-4-62, substituted for James H. Boone, 
appointed 5th Sergt. 10-62, 4th Sergt. 11-63, 3rd Sergt. 10-64. — 
BROOKS, GEORGE W., 4-4-62, c. Chancellorsville, 5-4-64, escaped 
from Elmyra, N. Y., prison, w. and c. Petersburg, 3-25-65, 
transf. to N. S. General Hospital, Elmira, 7-13-65, W. R. 
BROWN, WILLIAM A., 4-4-62, w. and c. Ceven Pines, 5-31-62. 
BOONE, JAMES H., m3, dis. furnishing D. H. Brooks as substi¬ 
tute, 4-4-62, re-enlisted, 6-20-64, dis. disability near Petersburg, 
10-22-64, W. R. 

CATES, JOHN M., m3, c. Wilderness, 5-6-64. 

CANNON, NATHAN J., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, d. of w., 
4-15-63. 


408 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


CANNON, MILES JEFFERSON, m3, w. at Cold Harbor, 6-27-62, 
w. Cedar Run, 8-9-62, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, appointed 5th Sergt. 
8-64, c. Petersburg, 3-25-65, released after surrender. 
CANNON, NATHANIEL W., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31,62, dis. 
account of w. 

COOK, THOMAS R., m3, appointed 3rd Corp. 7-63, k. Wilderness, 
5-6-64. 

COOK, JARRARD T., m3, d. Richmond, ’64. 

COLSON, DANIEL J., m. appointed 4th Corp. 12-62, 1st Corp. 

7- 63, z. 

CLEMONS, J., m3, *. CLEMONS, JASPER, m3, Paroled, Va., ’65. 
CRISWELL, JAMES P., m3, dis. furnished J. J. Howell as substi¬ 
tute, 8-15-62. 

CRISWELL, JOHN C., m3, d. 6-10-62. 

CANNON,-, m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, d. in service, 11-27-64. 

DAVIS, ELI S., m3, k. Cedar Run, 8-9-62. 

DAVIS, IVERSON L., m3, w. Gettysburg, 7-3-63, z. 

DAVIS, CHADWICK T., m3, appointed 4th Sergt. 7-8-62, 3rd Sergt. 
11-63, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, dis. disability, 9-16-64. 

DAVIS, ELIAS J., 5-7-62, substituted for W. C. Thompson,-. 

DAVIDSON, ELBERT J., 7-25-63, lost arm accidentally, Peters¬ 
burg, dis. 

DELK, BURRELL D., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, d. of w. 6-3-62. 
DIXON, AARON, m3, *. DIXON, KINMAN, m3, d. hospital, Rich¬ 
mond. 

DIXON, WILLIAM K., m3, d. 6-23-62. 

DIXON, JOHN J., m3, w. Fredericksburg, 12-13-62, *. 

DOKE, DENNIS, m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, c. Richmond, 6-30-62, 
released after surrender. 

DOKE, E., 3-10-62, paroled Toomsboro, Ga., ’65. 

DRAKE, WILLIAM A., m3, d. 8-10-62. DAVIDSON, JOHN S., 
5-19-62. 

DAVIDSON, JOSEPH F., 5-19-62, d. 7-15-62. 

DAVIDSON, E. J., 7-25-63, w. and c. 5-64. ENNIS, P. M. 

EASOM, MARTIN VAN BUREN, m3, w. and disabled 2nd Manas¬ 
sas, 8-30-62, dis. at Camp near Culpeper, Va., account of gun 
shot w. in right lung, 11-6-63, W. R. 

ETHRIDGE, THOMAS D., m3.-. 

FANN, JAMES H., m3, FLOYD, JOHN T., m3, w. and c. Deep 
Bottom, 8-16-64, released after surrender. 

FITZGERALD, J. B., m3, d. Richmo.nd, 8-5-62. 

FITZGERALD, T. J., ’61, in the hospital Richmond, close of war. 
FOUNTAIN, BENJAMIN, m3, z. FOWLER, JOHN, 5-19-62, d. 

8- 12-62. 

GILDER, JAMES, m3, mortally w. Jericho Ford, 5-£3-64. 

GOOD WON, JOHN, m3, k. Cedar Run, 8-9-62. 

GREEN, THOMAS J., m3, appointed 2nd Corp. 64, c. Spottsylvania, 
5-12-64, d. in prison. 

GREEN, JOHN R., 5-19-62, c. near Petersburg, 3-25-65, released 
Pt. Lookout, Md., Prison 6-27-65, W. R. 

GREEN, WILLIAM H., 5-19-62, z. GAINEY, ERASTUS A., 
5-19-62, k. Petersburg, 4-2-65. 





HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


409 


GAINEY, J. H., 4-63, transf. from 49th Regt. Ga. Vol. Inf. 4-1-63, 
*. (see Co. F. 3rd Regt. Inf.) 

HERNDON, HENLEY J., m3, *. HOLDER, BURRELL D., m3, 
mortally w. Cold Harbor, 6-4-64. 

HUGHS, JOHN THOMAS, m3, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut. 10-9-62, c. 
Gettysburg, 7-3-63, andexc. elected 2nd Lieut. 9-17-63, 1st Lieut. 
’63, Capt. 11-27-64 (Paroled Johnson’s Island, O. prison, and 
forwarded to Pt. Lookout, Md. prison for exc. 3-14-65, rec. 
Boulwares’ a$d Cox’s Wharves James River, Va., 3-22-65. W. R.) 
HOWELL, N. A., 7-12-62, substitute for Braswell Winn, d. Staunton, 
Va. Hospital, 12-21-62. 

HOWELL, J. J., 8-15-62, substituted for J. P. Criswell, k. 2nd Ma¬ 
nassas, 8-30-62. 

HOWELL, WILLIAM, m3, d. Staunton, 12-3-62. 

JESSUP, JAMES W., m3, z. 

JOHNSON, CHARLES T., m3, appointed 2nd Corp. 5-62, k. Get¬ 
tysburg, 7-2-63. 

JOHNSON, NATHAN A., m3, dis. disability, 5-22-62. 

JOHNSON, THOMAS J., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62. 

JUSTICE, SION B., m3, w. Wilderness, 5-5-64, appointed 4th Corp. 
8-64, 2nd Corp. 12-64, z. 

KELLY, JOSEPH G., m3, k. Fredericksburg, 12-13-62. 

KINGERY, ANDREW J., m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64,- at home 

since 2-17-65. 

KINDRY, DANIEL H. L., m3, dis. furnished R. T. McGraw as 
substitute, 4-18-63, re-enlisted ’64, k. Wilderness, 5-6-64. 

KENNEDY, JOHN L., 7-23-62, c. Deep Bottom, 8-16-64, -Jan. 

’65. 

KING, W. W., 8-2-65, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, z. 

LAVENDER, RICHARD L., m3, *. LORD, WILLIAM P., m3, d. 
12-22-62. 

LORD, LITTLEJOHN E., m3, d. in service ’62. LONG, WILLIAM 
L., 5-19-62, d. 8-6-62. 

LORD, JOHN, 6-9-63, k. Wilderness, 5-6-64. 

LOWRY, A. W., m3, d. Richmond, 7-7-62. MARTAIN, RICHARD, 
m3, dis. disability. 

McCOOK, GEORGE E., m3, c. 4-2-65, z. McCOOK, JAMES 0., m3, 
d. 6-18-64. 

McCOOK, JAMES B., m3, appointed 3rd Corp. 3-63, 2nd Corp. 7-63, 
d. in service. 

McADAMS, THOMAS, m3, c. Mine Run, 11-29-63, *. 

McCULLER, GEORGE W., m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, *. 
MILLER, FRANCIS P., m3, d. 7-21-62. 

MILLER, HENRY G., 5-7-62, substitute for E. T. Miller, z. 
MILLER, DAVID B., 5-19-62, on sick furlough, 4-65. 

MILLER, JOSEPH G., 5-19-62, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, d. of w. 
Staunton, 11-12-64. 

McNAIR, DANIEL, 5-19-62, k. Williamsburg Pike. 

MERWITH, W. A., m3, d. Richmond, 7-28-62. 

MYRICK, LUMPKIN E., m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, z. 
MEREDITH, JOHN T., m3, *. 

MILLER, E. T., m3, dis. furnished Henry G. Miller substitute, re¬ 
enlisted. 




410 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


MILLER, PUGH, 5-10-62, d. in service. 

McGRAW, R. T., 4-18-63, substitute for D. H. L. Kingry, k. Wil¬ 
derness, 5-6-64. 

NESMITH, WILEY, m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, *. 

NESMITH, GREEN B., 5-19-62, d. in service. 

NESMITH, WILLIAM, 5-19-62, d. Richmond, 7-18-62. 

NEWSOME, WILLIAM, m3, - 62. OXLEY, GEORGE W., m3, 

- ’64. 

OXLEY, ROBERT, m3, w. Wilderness, 5-6-64, k. ’64. 

OXLEY, JAMES S., 5-17-62, w. accidentally, 5-t>2, c. in detached 
service, 12-64. 

PARKER, LUCIUS M., m3, d. 7-9-62. 

PARKER, JOHN T., m3, transf. to Co. F, 3rd Regt. Ga. Vol. Inf. 

4- 1-64 (absent sick, 3-12-65, W. R.) 

PARROTT, ELY L., m3, w. Cold Harbor, 6-27-62, d. of w. Camp 
Gregg, 2-4-63. 

PROCTOR, JESSIE, m3, d. in service, 7-62. 

PRICE, MOSES B., m3, d. 6-12-62. 

PORTER, WILLIAM, m3, transf. to Wagon shops, ’64. 

PERRY, IRA E., m3, d. 7-24-62. 

RIVERS, JONATHAN, m3, pr. Major 3-22-62, Lieut. Col. 9-9-62, 
lost leg Chancellorsville, 5-3-63, resigned 6-9-63. 

ROBERSON, ISAAC B., m3, w. Cold Harbor, 6-27-62, Wilderness, 

5- 6-64, z. 

ROGERS, JOHN, m3, d. 8-15-62. 

ROACH, PETER J., 5-6-62, dis. disability, 6-28-62. 

SHEPPARD, JOHN H., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, appointed 
3rd Corp. 12-64, k. Petersburg, 4-2-65. 

SHEPPARD, JOHN M., m3, *. 

SHEPPARD, JOSHUA, m3, w. Mechanicsville, 6-26-62, d. of w. 
7-5-62. 

SMITH, COLONEL D., m3, k. Wilderness, 5-6-64. SMITH, SAM¬ 
UEL, m3, d. in service. 

SMITH, J. W., m3, k. Gettysburg, 7-3-63. 

SMITH, FRANCIS M., m3,-12-64. 

SMITH, JAMES L., m3, w. Fredericksburg, 12-13-62, c. Wilderness, 
5-6-64, z. 

SMITH, DAVID, m3, d. Richmond Hospital. 

SPEARS, ALLEN W., m3, c. 5-64. 

SWAYTES, E. R., ’61, z. 

STINSON, JAMES B., m3, k. Cedar Run, 8-10-62. SUTTON, 
JULIUS W., m3, z. 

STEPHEN, JOSHUA, m3, d. Richmond hospital. 

STEPHENS, JOHN F., m3, c. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, lost leg Chan¬ 
cellorsville, 5-3-63, dis. account of w. 

STEPHENS, JOHN H., m3, w. Seven Pines, 5-31-62, appointed 3rd 
Corp. 12-64. 

STEPHENS, JOHN M., m3, on sick furlough, 4-65. 

SWAILS, REECE, m3, detailed butcher, 10-64. 

STOCK, F. M., m3, k. Seven Pines, 5-31-62. 

THIGPEN, WILLIAM I., m3, w. Chancellorsville, 5-3-63, dis. disabil¬ 
ity, 2-29-64, W. R. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


411 


THOMAS, WILLIAM C., m3, THOMPSON, WILLIAM C., m3, dis. 
furnished E. J. Davis, 5-7-62. 

THOMPSON, WILLIAM A., m3, d. home on furlough, ’62. TOLER, 
GEORGE W., m3, z. 

UNDERWOOD, JOHN W., m3, c. Spottsylvania, 5-12-64, d. Fort 
Delaware Prison, 11-26-64. 

USSERY, JOHN B., m3, appointed Musician, 3-63, 5th Sergt. 11-63, 
4th Sergt. 8-64, *. 

VANN, ELIAS, 12-6-62, k. Wilderness, 5-6-64. VANN, JAMES 
H., m3. 

WATKINS, HENRY H., m3, *. WATKINS, F. M., m3, dis. 

WARNER, JAMES, m3,- 4-64. 

WHEELER, IRA, m3, w. and c. Gettysburg, 7-3-63, released after 
surrender. 

WHEELER, LEE, m3, z. WRIGHT, JAMES C., m3, z, as teamster. 

WRIGHT, JESSIE C., m3, *. WYNN, THOMAS, m3. 

WYNN, BRASWELL, m3, dis. furnished W. A. Howell as substi¬ 
tute, 7-12-62, enlisted as a private Co. D, 63rd Reg. Ga. Vol. 
Inf. 12-15-62, admitted to C. S. A. General Hospital, Jackson, 
Miss., disease Nephritis, 8-20-64, W. R. 

WYNN, WILLIS W., m3, c. ’64 or ’65, released from Pt. Lookout 
prison. 

WYNN. JASPER L., m3, appointed 4th Corp. 12-64, z. WYNN, 
L. L., m3. 

WYNN, D., 3-61. WYNN, UNION L., 5-19-62, c. Wilderness, 
5-6-64, z. 

WARD, HENRY, 5-6-62, k. Cedar Run, 8-9-62. 

WRIGHT, GEORGE W., 5-19-62, appointed Commissary Sergt., 
7-63, *. 

WARD, JEREMIAH, m3, *. smallpox, Richmond, 12-62. 

WARD, JAMES F., 9-11-62, d. Camp Gregg, Jan. 4-63. WARD 
SOLOMON, m3. 

WHITAKER, NATHAN T., 12-6-62, transf. 4-1-63, to Co. F. 3rd 
Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf., w. Petersburg, 6-22-64, *. 

WOOD, S. L., 6-25-61, transf. from Co. F, 3rd Ga. Reg. 3-4-62, w. 
Gettysburg, 7-3-63, c. Wilderness, 5-6-64, released Ft. Delaware 
Prison, 6-16-65, W. R. 

WARD, R. B., m3, c. Wilderness, 5-6-64, released after surrender. 

WHITE, ASHLEY, m3, WHITE, L. L., m3, WRIGHT, L. C., m3, 
c. released after *. 


MUSTER ROLL OF CO. I, 57TH REGIMENT, GEORGIA 
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, 

C. S. A., LAURENS AND WILKINSON 
COUNTY, GA. 

“BUCKALOO RIFLES” 

Originally Co. F, 2nd Regt. State Troops. 

First consolidated Regt. was composed of Companies C, D, G, and 
I, surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. 

BISHOP, GEORGE W., Capt., m, e, z. 



412 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


VINSON, LEVIN J. H., 1st Lieut., m, e, roll for Mar. and Apr., 
’64, last on file show him present, W. R., Non-official records 

show s3. 

WOLFE, JOHN B., 2nd Lieut., m, e. detailed in Q. M. Dept. 2-64, z. 
SMITH, ARCHIBALD J., Jr., 2nd Lieut., m. e, s3. 

WARD, PATRICK H., 1st Sergt., m, appointed Hospital Steward, 
2-63. 

SPEARS, JOHN W., 2nd Sergt. m, appointed 1st Sergt. 2-63, e, s3. 
WALKINS, GUSTAVIS A., 3rd Sergt., m, d. Vicksburg, 3-7-63. 
SMITH, H. H., 4th Sergt., m, d. Vicksburg, 5-16-63. 

HOGAN, WILLIAM B. R., 5th Sergt., m, s3. 

CAULEY, WILLIAM A., 1st Corp., m. e, s3. 

SNOW, RICHARD, 2nd Corp., m, e,- W. R. 

LAVENDER, JOEL, 3rd Corporal, m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 
SWINSON, STARKEY W., 4th Corp., m. e,- 


PRIVATES 

AIDS, DANIEL, m, e,-AYCOCK, JESSIE N., m, e, z. 

BEALL, JOHN R., 3-17-62, - W. R. 

BELL, JAMES R, 12-16-63. BECK, JOHN, m, dis. BRACK, JOHN 
T., 7-64. 

BROWN, BARTLETT W., m, z. 

BYRON, ANDERSON, m, e, w, detailed Savannah, Ga., account 
of w. 2-64, z. 

BYRON, WILLIAM, m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, d. in prison. 

CLANCE, MARTIN’ S., m, e, appointed 4th Corp. 12-63. - 

CHENEY, WILLIAM, m, z. CHERRY, JAMES, m, s3. 

CHERRY, WILLIAM m, k. Jonesboro, Ga., 8-31-64. 

CAULEY, ELIAS, m, c. Whitemarsh Island, Savannah, Ga., 2-33-64, 
released from Ft. Delaware, Del. prison, 6-16-65. 

COUNCIL, ROBERT, m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, z. 

CROOMS, RICHARD T., m, detailed in Pioneer Corps. - 

DANIEL, GREEN B., m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, z. 

DANIEL, JONES, 10-15-62, e, z. DANIEL, THOMAS, m. 

DAVIS, ELISHA B., m, d. in hospital, ’64. 

DIXON, ROBERT D., m, w. severely Vicksburg, 6-21-63, on detached 
service 2-64, z. 

DIXON, WILLIAM, m, e, z. DIXON, WILLIS D., 4-15-63, z. 
DIXON, WILLIAMS, m. e, transferred to Capt. Girarday’s Battery, 
12-1-63, appointed color guard, 2-64, *. 

DORMINEY, BENJAMIN H., m, e, paroled Greensboro, 5-1-65. 
DORMINEY, FREDERICK, 2-1-64, w. and c. paroled Greensboro, 
4-26-65. 

DORMINEY, JOHN H., m. EVERS, D. M., 4-3-64, conscript, z. 
ETHRIDGE, THOMAS E., m, appointed musician, 5-3-62, e, s3. 

EVERS, JAMES S., 6-15-63, conscript,-. 

FORDHAM, FIELDING, m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, e, z. 
FORDHAM, F. C., ’65. FORDHAM, JOHN, m, e, k. Jonesboro, 
Ga., 8-31-64. 

FORDHAM, ZENAS J., m, d. Vicksburg, 7-26-63. 

FOUNTAIN, AUGUSTUS J., m, e, d. in hospital, 9-15-63. 
GILBERT, WILLIAM, m, e, s3. 








HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


413 


HARRIS, J. L., m, w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

HARTLEY, HILLARY E., m, d. in camp, ’62. 

HATFIELD, RICHARD E., m, appointed 2nd Sergt. 2-63, e, s3. 
HATFIELD, SAMUEL A., m, e, s3. HERNDON, GEORGE W.,. 
m, d. Jackson. 

HERNDON, WESLEY, m, c., d. Camp Chase prison, 4-15-65, Grave 
No. 1871, Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery. 

HERNDON, STEPHEN W., m, e, d. in camp in Tenn., ’64. 
HOGAN, BENJAMIN, m, d. in camp, ’62, 

HOGAN, URIAH J., m, e, appointed 2nd Corp. 12-1-63, s3. 
HOGAN, WICH J., m, e, z. HOLLIMAN, JOEL H., conscript,, 
4-9-64, s3. 

HOOVER, JOHN, m, e, z. 

HUTCHESON, JOSEPH, ’62, conscript, released from Johnson’s 
Island Prison, ’65. 

HOOVER, SAMUEL, m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, exchanged, ’63, z. 
JONES, ANDERSON, m, d. Camp Randolph, 6-62. 

JONES, DANIEL, 10-1-63, detailed in Q. M. Dept. 2-64, z. 

JONES, MATHEW, m, d. Vicksburg, 4-10-63. 

JONES, SILAS H., 6-1-64, w. left shoulder, admitted to Floyd 
House and Ocmulgee Hospital, Macon, Ga., 10-3-64, s3, (with 
Co. A, 1st Consolidated Reg. Ga. Inf.) 

JONES, TILLMAN, m, e, s. JONES, WILLIAM F., m, e,-. 

KEYTON, WILLIAM H., m. KINCHEN, JOHN, m, d. Vicksburg, 

3- 6-63. 

KINCHEN, GEORGE T., m, w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, k. 
Jonesboro, Ga., 8-31-64. 

KINCHEN, THOMAS A., m. dis., lost speech, 4-6-63. 

KENNEY, ELIJAH L., m, d. New Orleans, 8-4-63. KNIGHT, 
JAMES M., m. 

LEWIS, JAMES S., 6-18-63, conscript, k. Jonesboro, Ga., 8-31-64. 
LEWIS, WILLIAMS R., 2-10-64, k. Atlanta, Ga., 7-22-64. 

McCOOK, DANIEL, ’62, z. McCOOK, JAMES W., m, e,-. 

McCOOK, WILLIAM H., 11-22-62, transf. from Co. D, 5-1-63, e,-- 

MADDOX, ROBERT F., 11-22-62, e, c. Chattahoochee, 7-4-64, re¬ 
leased fron* Douglas, Ill., prison, 5-16-65. 

MITCHELL, JAMES H., ’62, d. ’62. 

MAHAFFEY, ANDREW J., 11-22-62, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

McARTHUR, SAMUEL, ’62, z. MARCHANT, JOHN, m, e, -. 

METTS, BENJAMIN C., 11-22-62, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, e, w. 
Kennesaw Mt., 6-27-64. 

METTS, GEORGE T., 11-22-62. METTS, JESSE, 8-22-63, z. 
METTS, LEWIS, 11-22-62, appointed 4th Sergt. 2-63, e, s3. 
NELSON, SEABORN J., m, e, present 4-64. PAYNE, ISHAM, m. 
PAYNE, JAMES T., m, d. Jackson, 1-63. 

PAYNE, WILLIAM, m, d. Vicksburg, 7-6-63. PAYNE, ZENAS E., 

4- 16-65, conscript, z. 

PARRIS, JAMES I., 1-1-64. 

PARRIS, JOHN L., m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, on detached 
service, 2-64, z. 

PHILLIPS, WILLIAM G., m. RAINES, BARTON, ’64. 

RAINES, JOHN, m, w. Atlanta, ’64. RIVERS, JOEL T., ’64, d- 
LaGrange, Ga. 






414 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ROACH, ADDISON, ’64. ROBERTS, CHALES M., 3-29-64, con¬ 
script, z. 

REID, THOMAS C., m, e, k. Love Joy, Ga., 11-16-64. 

ROACH, FRANKLIN A., 2-17-64. ROBERTS, JOEL T., 4-16-64, 
conscript. 

ROBERTS, WILLIAM T., 1-15-64. 

SCARBOROUGH, WILLIAM R., m, e,-. 

SLAUGHTER, GEORGE WASHINGTON, 2-1-63, detailed in Or¬ 
dnance Dept. 2-64, z. 

SLAUGHTER, JOHN A., m. SUMMERS, J. F., ’62. z. 

SLAUGHTER, ROBERT A., 2-1-65, e, appointed 3rd Corp. 10-63, s. 

SLAUGHTER, WASHINGTON, ’64. 

SMITH, BENJAMIN L., m. appointed 5th Sergt. 2-63, e, Paroled 
Salisburg, 4-26-65. 

STOKES, JOHN CORLEY G., 4-9-64. 

SUMMER, JOHN S., m, e, dis. disability. 

SWINSON, GABRIEL G., m, k. in trenches, Vicksburg, 6-11-63. 

SMITH, RICHARD, 5-3-62. SWINSON, WILLIAM P., m, d. Lau¬ 
rens Co. Ga., 2-22-63. 

TAYLOR, ISAAC, m. TAYLOR, SEABORN J., m, e, z. 

TAYLOR, JAMES J., m, appointed 3rd Sergt. 2-63, e, k. Jonesboro, 
Ga., 8-31-64. 

TAYLOR, JOHN J., m, w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, on de¬ 
tached service account of w. 12-63, z. 

VINSON, JOHN P., 11-6-63, conscript, substitute for -, d. in 

service. 

WARD, BENNETT K., m, transf. to Co. D, 57th Reg. Ga. Vol. Inf. 
2-28-63, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63 and paroled 7-7-63, transf. to Co. D. 
’63. Regt. Ga. Vol. Inf., 12-31-63, present 2-28-65. 

WATKINS, AUGUSTUS, m, appointed Sergt. ’62, d. in Camp, ’62. 

WATKINS, GEORGE S., m. w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, ex¬ 
changed 9-63, w. and disabled ’64, detailed in Ordnance Dept. 
Savannah, Ga., 2-64. 

WHALEN, DANIEL, m, w. Vicksburg, 6-15-63, e, disabled, on de¬ 
tached service, 2-64. 

WILSON, HENRY L., m, e, d. Wilkinson Co., Ga., 9*24-63. 

WYATT, ELI, m. WHATLEY, A. J., m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

MUSTER ROLL OF CO. D, 57TH REGIMENT, GEORGIA 
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, WILKINSON 
COUNTY, GEORGIA 


BYINGTON, HENRY K., Capt., m, e, z. 

FREEMAN, THOMAS M., 1st Lieut., m, e, w. New Hope Church, 
Ga., 5-25-64, unable for further service. 

HATCHER, JAMES, 2nd Lieut., m, e, 7-22-64, and held prisoner 
till close of war. 


m, c. Baker’s Creek, 


METHVIN, WILLIAM K., Jr., 2nd Lieut. 

5-16-63, held prisoner till close of war. 

BULLOCK, ERASMUS, 1st Sergt., m, e, w. z. 

METHVIN, THOMAS I., 2nd Sergt, m, e, k. Jonesboro, 9-1-64. 
RUTLAND, THOMAS H., 3rd Sergt. m, e, s3. 

PATTERSON, JOSEPH, 4th Sergt., m, k. Vicksburg, 6-20-63. 
WARREN, JAMES H., 5th Sergt., m, 10-63, d. in service. 
CROSS, FRANCIS J., 1st Corp., m, e, z. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


415 


MORGAN, JOHN, 2nd Corp., m, e, 10-63, z. 

DUNCAN, THOMAS S., 3rd Corp., m, reduced to ranks, 10-63, 
RUTLAND, HENRY F., 4th Corp., m, e, z. 

WOOD, WILLIAM J., 5th Corp., m, e, z. 


PRIVATES 

BLOODWORTH, HENRY W., m, e, left command at Jonesboro, 
9-64. 

BRADY, FRANKLIN, m, rejected by surgeon, was never mustered 
into service. 

BROWN, WILLIAM R., m, d. in service, Bridgeport, ’63. 

BROWN, JOEL E., m, e, z. 

BROWN, ALFRED, m, w. Atlanta, 7-22-64, never able for further 
duty. 

BROWN, LEE, m, e, w. Kennesaw Mountain, 5-64. 

BROOKS, JOHN, m, Pr. 2nd Corp. w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, d. 
of w. 5-29-63. 

BROOKS, AUGUSTUS A., m. 

BULLOCK, JAMES A., m, e, c. Atlanta, 7-22-64 and held prisoner 
till close of war. 

BULLOCK, MATTHEW, m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, d. of w. 

5_29_63 

BUTLER, BENJAMIN F., m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

BUTLER, WILLIAM A., m, e, w. Kennesaw Mountain, 6-64, d. of w. 

BYINGTON, MIRABEAU L., m, e, detailed as musician, 2-63, z. 

CHAMBERS, HENRY', m, rejected by surgeon and was never mus¬ 
tered into service. 

CHERRY, WILLIAM, m, rejected by surgeon and was never mus¬ 
tered into service. 

COLLINS, ALDRIDGE G., m. 

COLLINS, A. J., m, rejected by surgeon and was never mustered 
into service. 

COLLINS, CHRISTOPHER C., m, d. Vicksburg, 2-20-63. 

COLLINS, ELDRIDGE C., m, e, z. 

COLLINS, LEVIN M., m. 

COLLINS, WILLIAM L., m, e, pr. 4th Corp. 10-63, k. Kennesaw 
Mountain, 5-24-64. 

COOK, THOMAS E., m, k. Vicksburg, 6-2-63. 

COWART, JESSE L., m, e, w. Jonesboro, Ga., 8-31-64 and disabled. 

CRUTCHFIELD, R. F., m, e, z. 

DAVIS, JESSE B., m, e, mortally w. Lovejoy, Ga., ’64. 

DEASON, MATHEW, m, on detached service in commissary dept., z. 

DIXON, EDWIN, m, e, s3. 

DUNCAN, WILLIAM J., m, e, reported-. 

FAIRCLOTH, T. J., m, d. Atlanta, 7-5-64. 

FLEETWOOD, SAMUEL, m, e, w. Jonesboro, 8-30-64, never ret. 
to duty. 

FLOYD, CHARLES, m, d. Mobile, 7-25-63. 

FORT, ISAAC, m, rejected by surgeon, never was mustered into 
service. 

FREEMAN, JAMES H., m, z. GARRETT, JAMES, m, lost arm 
Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 




416 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


GARRETT, Wm. J., m, on detached service, 2-63, z. 

GREEN, WILLIAM, m, detailed as musician, 2-63, on detached 

service, 11-63, - Tennessee, 11-64. 

HALL, WILLIAM A., m, e, pr. 5th Sergt. 2-63, s3. 

HARRINGTON, JAMES, m, d. in service, ’63. 

HARRIS, THOMAS H., m, e, ’63, z. 

HARROLL, HAMILTON W., m. 

HARVILLE, HARRISON E., m, e, z. 

HARVILLE, WILBURN, m, d. of fever in service, ’63. 

HARVEY, E. W., m, Transf. from Co. A, 54th Ga. Regt. in exc. for 
Samuel L. Patterson.- 4-64. 

HELTON, ANDREW J., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, d.- in prison 
Fort Delaware, 7-10-63. 

HOLDER, GEORGE W., m, pr. 3rd Corp. 2-63. 

HOLDER, JEREMIAH K., m, h. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 
HOLLIMAN, JAMES, m, e, s3. 

HORN, JEREMIAH L., m, e, d. in service, ’64. 

HORN, Z., m, k. Petersburg, 7-10-63. 

HORTON, GEORGE C., m, k. Petersburg, 7-62, z. 

HORTON, JO SI AH, m, e, z. 

HORTON, LEVI, m, transf. from Co. D, 63rd Ga. Regt. 12-1-63, z. 
HORTON, SOLOMON, m, e, w. Decatur, Ga., 7-20-64, and d. of w. 
HORTON, T. C., m, e. 

HOWARD, HENRY, m, e, z. 

HUGHES, JOHN T., m, e, pr. 4th Sergt., 2-63, z. 

JACKSON, HARRISON, m, e, z. 

JACKSON, JOSEPH F., m, e, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, s3. 

KING, IRA S., m, e, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, s3. 

KING, ERASTUS, m, e, s3. 

KING, WESLEY, 8-64, left sick near Murfreesboro, c. and paroled 
after surrender. 

LORD, JOSEPH H., m, sent to hospital in Vicksburg, 3-62. 

LORD, SAMUEL M., m. 

LORD, STEPHEN M., m, dis. by civil process, 11-10-63. 
McCARTY, JOHN B. F., m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 
McCARTHY, SAMUEL A., m, e, on detached service, 2-63, z. 
McCOOK, WILLIAM, m, transf. to Co. I, 57th Ga. Regt. 5-63. 
McCULLAR, JEREMIAH T., m, e, on detached service, 4-64, z. 

McDANIEL, WILLIAM M., m, e,- ’63. 

McGOWEN, NOAH, m, e, w. Lovejoy, Ga., 8-30-64 and d. of w. 
McKERVEY, HUGH, m, e, on detached service, January and June, 
’63, detailed in regimental band, 3-64, s3. 

MERCER, JOEL E., m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

METHVIN, JOHN J., m, e, s. 

MORGAN, IVERSON, m. 

MULHERN, JOHN, m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

PATTERSON, WILLIAM, m, e, detailed musician, 2-63, s. 
PATTERSON, JAMES, m, e, w. Vicksburg, 6-63, z. 

PATTERSON, SAMUEL L., m, e, Transf. to Co. A, 54th Ga. Regt. 

in exc. for E. W. Harvey. 

PAULK, J. R., 5-62, e. 

PERDEN, R. A., 5-62, d. in Atlanta, Ga., 5-20-64. 





HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


417 


PEIRSON, JONATHAN 1 , m, dis. account of weak eyes. POLK, 
JAMES N., m, d. ’64. 

PORTER, ANDREW J., 11-10-63, e, w. Marietta, Ga., 5-20-64, z. 
PORTER, JULIUS F., m, e, dis. PORTER, THOMAS G., m, e. 
RIDLEY, JOHN T., m, d. in service in Tennessee, ’63. 

REID, WILLIAM F., m, d. in service. 

RUTHERFORD, ELBERT, m, e, w. Marietta, Ga., 5-20-64, z. 
SAWYERS, WILLIAM, m, detailed as musician, 2-63, on detached 
service, 11-63, detailed in regimental band, z. 

SHEPPARD, THOMAS P., m, e, z. 

SMALLWOOD, MARK, m, supposed to have died. 

SMITH, DAVID W., m, d. in service, 9-20-63. 

STEPHENS, BARTLETT I., m, e, s3. 

STUCKEY, ALLISON, m, pr. 1st Corp., w. Baker’s Creek, Miss., 
5-16-63, d. of w. 5-29-63. 

STUCKEY, WILLIAM A., m, d. at home on sick furlough, ’63. 
THOMAS, GEORGE W., m, d. in Ky. in ’63. THOMPSON, JESSE 
P., m, e, z. 

THOMPSON, LACEY T., m, e, z. 

THOMPSON, MOSES J., m, on detached service, 7-63, z. 
THOMPSON, MOSES N., m, d. in service, 9-17-63. 

THOMPSON, RICHARD, m, killed Baker’s Creek, Miss., 5-16-63. 
THOMPSON, SOLOMON, p., 10-3-63, e, z. 

THOMPSON, WILLIAM M., m, e, on detached service, 11-63, c. 

Peachtree Creek, 7-20-64, and d. in prison. 

USERRY, SAMUEL, m, d. in service, Chattanooga, Tenn, ’63. 
VINSON, JOHN W., m, rejected by surgeon. 

VINSON, W. M., m, dis. on account of weak eyes. 

WALL, DYER K., 5-3-63, e, d. in service, Charlotte, N. C., ’65. 
WALL, WILLIAM, m, d. in service, 8-4-63. 

WARD, BENNETT K., m, e, transf. to Co. D, 63rd Ga. Regt., 
10-1-63. 

WARD, JEREMIAH B., m, rejected by surgeon, was not mustered 
into service. 

WARD, PATRICK H., m, e, pr. Hospital Steward, z. 

WARREN, JAMES S., m, d. in service, ’62. 

WATERS, THOMAS F., m, e, z. 

WILLIAMS, ANDREW, m, e, z. 


MUSTER ROLL OF CO. K, 57TH REGIMENT, GEORGIA 
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, ARMY OF TENN., C. S. A., 
WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA 

SHINHOLSER, J. W., Capt., m, pr. Major, 5-26-62, d. 7-64. 
SHINHOLSER, JAMES N., 1st Lieut., m, pr. Capt. 5-26-62. 
MILLER, ANDREW J., m, pr. 1st Lieut. 5-26-62, w. and c. Baker’s 
Creek, 5-16-63, retired to Invalid’s Corps. 12-15-64, home woun¬ 
ded close of war. 

LORD, JOHN, Jr., 2nd Lieut., m, pr. 2nd Lieut. 5-26-62, w. and c. 
Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

PIERCE, W. SCOTT, 1st Sergt., m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, d. 
of w. 5-28-63. 


418 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


MAHAFFEY, WILSON L., 2nd Sergt., m, elected Jr. 2nd Lieut., 
5-26-62, c. Vicksburg-, 7-4-63. 

UNDERWOOD, T. B., 3rd Sergt., m, d. Tenn., ’62. 

DAVIS, ISAAC W., 4th Sergt., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, exc. 
4-64. 

DAVIS, JOHN M., 5th Sergt., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, w. Peach¬ 
tree Creek, Ga., 7-20-64, s3 as 3rd Sergt. Co. H, 1st Consoli¬ 
dated Rgt. Ga. Vol. Inf. 

ARRINGTON, JESSIE K., 1st Corp, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, de¬ 
tailed Guard, 12-63. 

WEAVER, JOHN B., 2nd Corp., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, exc. ’63, 
c. Whitemarsh Island, Ga., 2-22-64, z. 

BOOTHE, JAMES, 3rd Corp., m, c .Vicksburg, 7-4-63, lost hearing 
and dis. 

KNIGHT, EZEKIEL, 4th Corp., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, appointed 
3rd Corp.- 4-64. 


PRIVATES 

AKRIDGE, ABEL G., m, (wounded Roll for 3-4-64 shows him 
present, home wounded close of war). 

AKRIDGE, ELKANON (or Cain L.) m. 

ALLEN, ADAM J., m, w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, paroled, 
4-65. 

ALLEN, RICHMOND W., 1-14-64, sick 4-65. 

ALLEN, WILEY G., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

ANDERSON, ANDREW J., m, w. Miss., 7-12-63, - 4-64. 

BARBEE, JAMES F., 8-1-63, d. fever, Vicksburg, ’63. 

BALES, JAMES D., m, sick, 4-65. BARGERON, JOHN. 

BLOODWORTH, HENRY P., m, appointed 3rd Corp., d. New Or¬ 
leans, 8-14-63. 

BLOODWORTH, JOHN, m, e, w. Atlanta, Ga., 7-22-64. 

BRANNAN, GEORGE J., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, appointed 3rd 
Corp., 8-63 (s3 with Co. H, 1st Consolidated Reg.) 

BRANNON, JAMES F., 2-20-64, dis. disability, ’62. 

BRANNON, JOEL, m, d. Vicksburg, 7-6-63. CARR, ROBERT J., 
m,- 4-64. 

CARR, WILLIAM B., m, - 10-63. 

CARTER, ANDREW D., m, e, c. Macon, Ga., 4-20-65. 

CARTER, WILLIAM B., m, w. and c. Vicksburg,-8-63. 

CHAMBERS, WILLIAM, m, dis. disability, 2-25-64. 

CLAY, DAVID M., m, transf. ’62. ' 

CLAY, LAWRENCE W., m, dis. furnished J. J. Holcombe as sub¬ 
stitute, 3-26-63. 

COLLINS, MICHAEL, m, w. and disabled, ’62. 

COLLINS, RISDON R., 5-10-62, transf. from Co. H, in exc. for 
D. R. Gunn. 

CRESSWELL, IVERSON E., (or John), m,-4-64. 

CRESSWELL, JOSEPH L., m, d. in service, 5-17-63. 

DAVIS, JAMES A., m, acting Asst. Commissary, 12-63, c. Irwin- 
ton, Ga., 11-22-64, sent to 15th Army Corp, 12-18-64. 

DAY, JAMES M., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63,- 4-64. 

DuBOSE, ABEL G., 11-5-63, d. in hospital, ’64. 








HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


419 


DuBOSE, A. A., ’63, paroled, ’65. 

ETHRIDGE, E. MANUEL, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. 

ETHRIDGE, MORGAN, m, detailed guard, 2-63. 

ETHRIDGE, THOMAS F., 4-14-64, paroled at Milledgeville, ’65. 
ETHRIDGE, WILLIAM, m, d. Vicksburg, 6-29-63. ETHRIDGE, 
WILLIAM R., 4-10-64. 

EZELL, EZEKIELH, m, appointed Regimental Ordnance Sergt., 
5-24-62. 

FARMER, WILLIAM T., m, c. Whitemarsh Island, 2-22-64. 
FULLER, JOHN R., m, w. and c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, detailed! 
mail carrier. 

GARRETT, JOHN M., m,-4-64. 

GOLDEN, VINSON Q., m, w. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63,- 4-64. 

GOLDEN, WESLEY W., m, k. Tuscumbia, Tenn., ’64. 

GUNN, DAVID B., m, transf. to Co. H, 57th Regt. Ga. Regt. Vol. 

Inf. in exc. for Risdon R. Collins, 4-7-64. 

HANCOCK, JAMES E., m, appointed 2nd Sergt. 11-10-63, detailed 
guard, 12-63. 

HARVEY, E. W., m, d. in hospital, ’64. 

HOLDER, ALLEN, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, c. Gordon, Ga., 11-19-64, 
sent to 15th Army Corps, 12-18-64. 

HOLCOMB, J. J., 3-26-63, substitute for L. W. Clay, d. Vicksburg, 
7-12-63. 

HOLLAND, JAMES E., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

HALL, H. A., 8-62, z. HOLMES, ROBERT, m, z. 

HALL, JOHN W., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, detailed cook, 3-64. 
JONES, A., m, d. fever, Calhoun, Ga., 6-62. 

JEANES, ELIZHA K., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

JEANES, JAMES B., 5-3-62, d. Atlanta, Ga., ’62. 

JEANES, VINSON S., m, appointed 3rd Sergt., 2-63, 1st Sergt. 
7-63. 

JEANES, WILLIAM B., (or W. L.) m. JONES, M. 

JOHNS, WILLIAM L., m, d. Lauderdale Springs, Miss., 1-65. 
JONES, WILLIAM R., m, d. in service, Camp Randolph. 
KINGRY, A. THOMAS, m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, w. Benton- 
ville, 3-18-65. 

KINGERY, LAFAYETTE L., m, sick in hospital, 4-65. 

KINGERY, SAMUEL L., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, paroled, 7-7-63. 
KILPATRICK, JAMES T., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, s3 with Co. H. 
KNIGHT, SIMON, m, d. Vicksburg, 6-29-63. 

LAVENDER, WILLIAM, 5-3-62, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 
LINGO, JOHN W., m,-3 and 4-64. 

McKINSEY, T. AUGUSTUS, m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, c. 

Ga., 11-23-64, and forwarded to Corps Provost Marshal. 
LINGO, PETER J., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. LINGOLD, J. P., m. 
LINGO, S., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. 

LOYD, DANIEL M., m, c. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63, z. 

McCULLAR, LEWIS, 10-1-63, s3, with Co. H. 

McCULLAR, CARSWELL E., m, d. Jackson, Miss., 3-5-63. 
McKENZIE, T. AUGUSTUS, m, c. in the field in Ga., 11-23-64 and 
forwarded to Corps Provost Marshal. 

McQUAIG, EDMOND, m, d. Vicksburg, 3-25-63. 

MACKEY, JOHN C., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. 




420 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


MADDOX, ROBERT, m, transf. to Co. I, 57 Regt. Ga., Vol. Inf. 
11-22-62, e, c. Chattahoochee, Ga., 7-4-64, released from Camp 
Douglas, Ill., prison, 5-16-65. 

MANDERSON, GEORGE, m,-3-63. MeHAFFEY, A. J., m. 

MANDERSON, JACKSON, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, s. New Or¬ 
leans, 7-20-63. 

MILLHORN, JOHN, m, k. Baker’s Creek, 5-16-63. 

NOLAN, GEORGE W., 12-20-62, transf. to Co. A. 

PASSMORE, CICERO, m, d. in hospital, ’64. 

PILGRIM, LARKIN C., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, detailed hospital 
nurse, 2-64. 

PHILLIPS, WILLIAM G., m, e, appointed musician, 2-29-64, s3. 

SLADE, J. HENRY, m, d. kidney disease in hospital Atlanta, Ga. r 
9-17-62. 

SMITH, SAMUEL M, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. 

STAPLETON, GEORGE W., m, w. and disabled Baker’s Creek,. 
5-16-63. 

STAPLETON, JOHN, m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, in arrest, 2-64. 

STAPLETON, JOHN T., 1-13-64, sick in hospital, 4-65. 

STAPLETON, WILLIS, 3-24-64, k. Peachtree Creek, Ga., 7-20-64. 

STARLEY, THOMAS C., m, d. Atlanta, Ga., 9-16-62. 

STARLEY, HENRY M., m,-3-64. 

TEMPLES, HUDSON, 10-1-63, (conscript) dis. disability, 12-3-63. 

TEMPLES, JAMES, 4-11-64,-’64. 

UNDERWOOD, SEABORN B., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, detailed 
guard, 8-63. 

UNDERWOOD, WILLIAM J., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, paroled,. 
’63, c. near Jonesboro, Ga., 8-31-64, forwarded to Provost Mar¬ 
shal General Dept. Cumberland, 9-3-64. 

WEAVER, WILEY G., m,- ’64, paroled, ’65. 

WEAVER, WILLIAM W., m, w. Atlanta, Ga., 7-22-64. 

WARD, PATRICK H., m, appointed Hospital Steward, 2-64, sur¬ 
rendered High Point, N. C., 4-65. 

WHEELER, DAVID, or Daniel L., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63. 

WHEELER, ISAAC H., m, c. Vicksburg, 7-4-63, detailed provost 
Gen. 2-64, z. 

WHEELER, MERRITT E., 4-24-64, c. Wilkinson Co., Ga., 11-22-64, 
released from Pt. Lookout prison, 6-22-65. 

WHEELER, SAMUEL P., m. d. ’65, c. 

WHITE, JOHN L., m, appointed 2nd Sergt. 2-63, pr. 1st Sergt., 
11-10-63. 

YARBOROUGH, WILLIAM B., m, c. Kennesaw Mt., 6-19-64, pa¬ 
roled Camp Morton, Ind., forwarded to Pt. Lookout for exc. 
and exc. Boulware and Cox’ Wharf, James River, Va., 3-23-65. 

YOUNG, ABRAHAM M., m, e, detailed service, 12-63. 

YOUNGBLOOD, JOSEPH J., m, c, w. and disabled, 7-22-64, At¬ 
lanta, Ga., home wounded furlough close of war. 

YOUNGBLOOD, L. H., 5-3-62, e. YOUNGBLOOD, NATHANIEL 
H., m. 

YOUNGBLOOD, PETER, l-2;2-64, c. Peachtree Creek, Ga., 7-20-64. 






HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


421 


MUSTER ROLL OF CO. H, 2ND REGIMENT, 1ST BRIGADE, 
GEORGIA STATE TROOPS 

COMMANDED BY COLONEL R. L. STOREY 

HALL, LYMAN A., Capt., h. ADAMS, WYNOTT C., 1st Lieut., h. 

WHIPPLE, STEPHEN BENNETT, 2nd Lieut. 

HARVILL, HAMILTON W., Jr., 2nd Lieut., h. 

HALL, WILLIAM A., 1st Sergt., h. STUCKEY, ALLISON, 2nd 
Sergt., h. 

PAYNE, JOHN F., 3rd Sergt., h. COWART, ALLEN G., 4th 
Sergt., h. 

MATHIS, MOSES, 5th Sergt., h. MERKERSON, GEORGE M., 1st 
Corp., h. 

CARR, BAILUS, 2nd Corp., h. SKIPPER, DANIEL, 3rd Corp., h. 

BUTLER, JAMES E., 4th Corp., h. 

PRIVATES 

ADAMS, T. B., 5-1-64, w. Griswoldville, 11-22-64, home wounded 
furlough close of war. 

ASHLEY, WILLIAM H. H., h. BARLOW, MORGAN T., h. BUT¬ 
LER, WILLIAM, h. 

CANNON, HARDIE W., h. CHAMBERS, HENRY, h, dis. 11-24-61. 

CHERRY, WILLIAM, h. CHERRY, JAMES, h. CLANCE, MAR¬ 
TIN S., h. 

COLLINS, COLUMBUS C., h. CAULEY, ELIAS, h. 

COLLINS, AKREL J., h, dis. 1-7-62. DANIELL, GREEN B., h. 

DANIELL, JONES, h. DAVIDSON, JOHN T., h. DAVIDSON, 
JOHN, h. 

DORSEY, JAMES B., h. DORMINEY, BENJAMIN H., h, dis. 
12-29-61. 

EVERS, DAVID M., h, dis. 11-24-61. HALL, LYMAN L., h. HALL, 
ISAAC C., h. 

HALL, JOHN M. B., h, dis. 12-22-61. HOLOMAN, JOEL H., h. 
KEMP, JAMES H., h. 

LORD, IVERSON, h. McCARLEY, SAMUEL A., h. 

McARTHUR, JOHN W., 5-1-64, w. Griswoldville, 11-22-64, home 
wounded furlough close of war. 

MERKERSON, MILTON G., h. MURCHISON, WILLIAM E. 

OZBURN, ELLIS E., h. OZBURN, JORDAN W., h. 

OUTLER, BENTLEY, h, pr. 2nd Corp. OUTLAW, JAMES M., h. 

OXLEY, JAMES S., h. PAYNE, URIAS M., h. PAULK, JAMES 
R., h. 

POOL, WILLIAM, h. PORTER, THOMAS R., RYE, AMBROSE H., 
dis. 

ROGER, WILLIAM A., h. SMITH, DOCTOR A., h. STUCKEY, 
WILLIAM A., h. 

STUCKEY, ALEXANDER, h, dis. 1-14-62. 

SHEFFIELD, JAMES A., h, dis. 10-30-61. THOMAS, GEORGE 
W., h. 

WILLIAMS, WILLIAM M., h. WRIGHT, GEORGE W., h. 

DAVIS, MILTON, 12-24-61. YARBOROUGH, WILLIAM R., h. 


422 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


DUNCAN, THOMAS, 12-24-61. DEAN, WILLIAM, 10-20-61. 
COOK, J. M., 12-22-61. FORDHAM, JOHN, 12-22-61. 

SANDERS, WILLIAM, 10-20-61. ROGERS, J. H., 11-9-61. 
FORDHAM, R. M., 12-22-61. PICKLES, J. H., 12-22-61. 

JONES, SILAS, 12-22-61. JONES, J. C., 12-22-61. 

MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY D, 8TH REGIMENT GEORGIA 
MILITIA, WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA 

CUMMINGS, ELI, Capt., j, m2. ADAMS, W. C., 1st Lieut, j. m2. 
BROWN, AUGUSTUS (A. C.) 2nd Lieut, j, m2. 

HALL, J. B., Jr., 2nd Lieut, j, resigned 12-64. 

BOATWRIGHT, M. W., 1st Sergt. j, pr. adjt. 8th Regt. Ga. Militia, 
6-64, m2. 

BUTLER, JAMES, 2nd Sergt., j, appointed 1st Sergt., 6-64, m2. 
BOONE, J. M., 3rd Sergt., j, (2nd Sergt.) m2. 

MILLER, E. T., 4th Sergt., j, (2nd Sergt.) m2. 


PRIVATES 

ADKINS, URIAS, j, k. Griswoldville, 12-12-64. ALLEN, JACK, 
j, m2. 

ASHLEY, P. A., j, m2. BAUM, ALEXANDER, j, pr. Asst. Quar¬ 
termaster 8th Regt. Ga. Militia, m2. 

BARLOW, JAMES, j, f. 7-64. BOON, DAVID, j, m2. 

BILLUE, J. R., j, dis. over age, 10-64. BURKE, NIMROD, j, f, 10-64. 

BRACK, G. F., j, m2. BRANAN, W. C., j, m2. 

BUTLER, JOEL J., j, transf. to Tolbert’s Scouts, 2-65, s2. 

BUTLER, GEORGE W., j, m2. BURKER, JOHN, j, m2. 

BRUNDAGE, A. R., j, dis. over age to f. 10-64. 

BRUNDAGE, JESSE W., j, m2. BURNEY, J., FRANK, j, m2. 

CARSWELL, MATHEW J., j, f. 10-64. CARSWELL, JOHN, 
j, f, 10-64. 

CARSWELL, G. L., j, f. 10-64. CARSWELL, RUFUS H., j, m2. 

CHAMBERS, BRYANT, j, k. Atlanta, Ga., 7-22-64. 

CHAMBERS, ANDREW, j, w. and permanently disabled Griswold¬ 
ville, 12-12-64. 

COOK, AMOS, j, m2. 

COOK, WILLIAMS, j, furloughed indefinitely account ill health, 
10-64. 

CUMMINGS, ALEXANDER H., j, Regt. Sergt. pr. Surgeon 8th 
Reg. Ga. Militia, 6-64, m2. 

DEAN, CALVIN, j, dis. over age and disability, 10-64. 

DUNCAN, JOHN E„ j, m2. DEAN, LEWIS, j, f account of ill 
health and age, 10-64. 

DANIEL, GREEN B., j, m2. DOKE, BOGUS, j, m2. DOMINEY, 
T. J., j, m2. 

DOMINEY, PERRY, j, m2. ETHRIDGE, WILLIAM B., j, m2. 

FORDHAM, WILEY, j, f account of age, 10-64. 

FORDHAM, BENJAMIN, j, f account of ill health, 10-64. 

FORDHAM, B. H., 5-64, surrendered, Hamburg, S. C., 4-65. 

GREEN, GEORGE T., j, transf. to Tolbert’s Scouts, 1-65, s2. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


423 


GREEN, JESSIE J., j, m2. GILDER, WILLER, j, m2. HOWARD, 
JAMES M., j, m2. 

HOLDER, WILLIAMS, j, sent home account of age and disability, 
10-64. 

HOLDER, JESSE, J. M., HOLLIMAN, W. S., j, m2. 

HATFIELD, SAMUEL W., j, f. account of age, 9-64. HARVILLE, 

I. (or J.) L, j, m2. 

HALL, L. A., j, pr. Major 8th Reg. Ga. Militia, 6-64, m2. 

JONES, KILBY, j, furloughed, over-age and disability, 10-64. 
JONES, IVERSON, j, m2. JONES, JOHN C., j, m2. JONES, SEA¬ 
BORN, j, m2. 

JOHNSTON, E. B., j, m2. JENKINS, L. L., j, m2. KEMP, JOHN, 
j, m2. 

KEAL, J. F., (or Keel), j, m2. LEWIS, W. G., j, m2. LEE, WAL¬ 
TER W., i, m2. 

LORD, J. H., j, m2. MASON, JOHN, 1864. MASON, T. A., j, m2. 
McCALLUM, ARCHIE (or McALLEN, ARCHIBALD), j, m2. 
McINTYRE, SILAS, j, m2. 

MOORE, CHARLES, j, m2. MILLS OR MILLER, H. H., j, m2. 
MARTIN, RICHARD, j, m2. MORGAN, BOZEMAN, j, m2. NE¬ 
SMITH, J. N., j, m2. 

NESMITH, WILEY, j, m2. OGBURN, W. H., j, m2, w. Griswold- 
ville, 12-12-64. 

PIERCE, JAMES, j, furloughed account of age and disability, 9-64. 
PAYNE, GEORGE W., j, m2. PACE, MEREDITH M., j, m2. 
PEACOCK, LEWIS L., j, discharged over-age and disability, 9-64. 
PEACOCK, L. M., j, appointed 1st Sergt. 9-64, m2. PORTER, 
THOMAS R., j, dis. 9-64. 

PARKER, J. N., j, m2. PATE, BENJAMIN F., j, m2. 

PERKINS, JOHN, j, m2, lost at Griswoldville. RUTHERFORD, 
F. C., j, m2. 

RAWLS, 0. H. P., j, w. and permanently disabled, Griswoldville, 
12-12-64. 

RAWLS, JAMES R., j, m2, RYE, H. H., j, f. Sept. ROZAR, E. 
(or A) J., j, m2. 

ROZAR, DEXTER, j, m2. RENFROE, J. L., j, m2. ROZAR, 
JOSEPH, j, m2. 

SIMPSON, JAMES, j, m2. SIMPSON, M. D., j, m2. 

STUCKEY, R. J., 5-64, surrendered, Hamburg, S. C., 5-65. 
STUCKEY, ALEXANDER, j, pr. 2nd Lieut. 9-64, m2. STANLEY, 
E. M., j, m2. 

SMITH, C. C., j, dis. disability, 9-64. SMITH, W. L., j, m2. SMITH, 

J. J. L., j, m2. 

SMITH, H. H., j, m2. SMITH, JASPER, j, m2. 

SMITH, JOEL A., j, transf. to Tolbert’s Scouts, 1-65, s2. 
SHEPHERD, WILLIAM I. (or J.) j, dis. disability, 9-64. 
STEVENS, JAMES, j, furloughed account of age and disability, 
9-64. 

TRAPP, ROBERT, j, m2. THOMPSON, JIMSEY, j, m2. 

WALL, JASPER, j, f 9-64. WALKER, JOSHUA, j, pr. 2nd Lieut., 
6-64, m2. 

WATERS, JAMES, ’64. WHITAKER, W. W., j, dis. over-age, 9-64. 
WILLIAMS, DAVID, j, m2. WIGGINS, JOHN, j, m2. 


424 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


THE DEATH OF A WILKINSON COUNTY SOLDIER 
IN VIRGINIA 

The following two letters depict a striking counterpart of Norton’s 
“Bingen on the Rhine.” William J. Sanders was a brother of Mrs. 
J. W. Hooks, Chairman of the History Committee for this book. 
William N. Ryle was the father of Mrs. J. A. Stokes, of Gordon, 
both members of Co. B, 14th Georgia Regiment: 

Encampment, Virginia, August 27th, 1861. 
Dear Father and Mother: 

You wrote that you heard that I was left in Staunton and was 
very uneasy about me. That was so, but I was only left with James 
to wait for a wagon to haul our knapsacks as we did not feel able 
to walk. We were only left about two hours behind the rest and 
as for sickness, I have fared good. I am as fat as I ever was for 
I can’t button my coat around my body. I am as healthy a man as 
there is in our Company. 

I reckon Buck has the measles and they are broken out on him 
as thick as they can be. The rest of our boys are well at this time, 
about one-half of our Company is sick with measles. There w r as a 
man died in our Regiment yesterday evening with the measles. He 
took cold with them. His name was Gunter, from Worth County. 

Father, I heard a very nice sermon last night for the first time 
since I left home. He preached in our encampment. 

Uncle wrote that he heard Malichi had fallen down and ruptured 
himself very bad. That is so. He fell down the second night we got 
to Huntersville and hurt himself, not very bad though. The regi¬ 
mental Doctor said he would soon get over it. He is going about but 
the Captain doesn’t make him perform any duty at all. 

Father, you wrote you would not come to see us if peace would 
be made in two or three months, it would be spending money for 
nothing. But I tell you you would see enough to pay you for all the 
money you would spend coming here and going back. There were 
two men made a bet of a five dollar pair of boots that there would 
be peace made in three weeks. One bet peace would be made in three 
weeks and the other it would not. We know nothing about it, for, 
we get no news only what we get from Georgia that is worth any¬ 
thing. We hear from Portsmouth some times. Some of our Company 
gets a letter from there every day or two and they say that they 
live well if living on beef and bread is living well. That is what 
we get and a little bacon, flour and rice, coffee and sugar. 

Father, we all went a hoging Sunday and caught three, they were 
ground hogs. We had them to dig out of the ground and they were 
good to eat sure, for we cooked them. 

Mother wanted to know something about the fruit. There are a 
few apples and they are not ripe. No peaches nor watermelons at 
all. I have not seen a watermelon since I left Atlanta. I can get 
plenty of butter by paying fifteen cents a pound for it, but I do 
not buy much. 

Tell Wm. N. Valentine I will write to him when I get the chance. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


425 


Tell Doctor and Patience to learn fast and be good children and 
good to their teacher. 

I have nothing more at this time to write, only I remain your, 
Your affectionate son until death, 

William J. Sanders. 

Huntersville, Virginia, October 24th, 1861. 

Dear Uncle: 

We received a letter from the old man Dan stating that you 
wanted to know all about William’s sickness and also his death and 
burial. I wrote to you the day after he was buried, if you have 
received the letter, and stated to you all the particulars, but as 
Kelly wanted to drop you a few lines, I will also write you and 
will give you as plain a description of his sickness and death as 
I possibly can. 

When I got to Eddray which was two weeks and two days 
before he died I found him and Sergeant McArthur lying in the 
Captain’s tent. He was then able to walk out where he pleased. 
He was peart and would sit up and talk and laugh with us and 
seemed to be very much pleased at my coming, particularly because 
I was going to stay with them, as there was only him, McArthur, 
Lieutenant Solomon, Shug Smith, Boss and Randol that was there 
of our Company and they were rather lonesome. He continued to 
be in the same state I found him in until about four or five days 
before he died. I then saw that he was sinking. I stayed with him 
and waited on him from the time I got there until he died. He 
never made any request nor mentioned home after he was taken 
so sick nor did he say anything about dying. While he was able 
to walk about he and I would sometimes talk about home as we 
frequently did when we were all together. 

His mother wanted to know whether he was buried nice or not 
and whether he died in his tent or not and the name of the place 
where he was buried, also the disease he had. I will answer all 
these questions to the very best of my ability. 

First, he was buried as nice as we could have buried any man 
in the army, especially at such a time as it was when he died. I 
walked three miles before I could find a man to make a coffin. It 
was made at a saw mill, I picked the plank myself and I picked 
good sound pine plank and had a very nice plain coffin made. We 
buried him in the little zouave jacket which you sent to him in 
the box of clothing, also the pants which were in the box and his 
uniform coat. He was a very nice looking corpse. It is customary 
to bury a soldier’s blanket with him. He had no blanket for Boss 
had died on his and he did not want to use it any more until it was 
washed. I had given him my blanket to cover with the day before 
he died and as his was not fit to bury him in I buried him in my own. 
His own blanket we left hanging on a stump for it was impossible 
to get it washed. We buried the most of his clothes with him, his 
hat, cap, pocket knife, havre sack and money I put in Dossey’s 
care and he started for home with it yesterday. He had nine dol¬ 
lars and twenty cents. 


426 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Second answer. He died in the Captain’s tent he had a good bed 
for he and McArthur had nearly all the Officer’s bed clothes 
beside a considerable quantity of hay which was next to the ground. 
He had a very good place to lie. What sleeping I did for five nights 
which was very little, I did lying at his feet. 

Third answer. The name of the place where he is buried is Eddray. 
His name is engraved on the inside of the lid of his coffin. We also 
placed a rock on the lid and put very thick plank over the vault. 
There was a rock put at the head of the grave with his name and 
the date engraved on it. His disease was the typhoid fever. 

Dear Uncle and Aunt, the above is as correct a description as 
I can give you of William’s death and burial by writing. I was 
the only one of his relatives that was with him through any of his 
sickness except two days that Gory and James were there. It is true 
that Doss was there at the time he died but he was sick himself 
and was in his tent when he died. I was with him all the time and 
he did not seem to want any person to wait on him but me. I 
waited on him to the very best of my ability. Had he been my 
brother I could have done nothing more for him than I did do. 
I do not think that I did anything more than I ought to have done 
for I pledged myself to do all that I could for the comfort of my 
relatives and friends long before I left home. 

Dossey will doubtless be home before you receive this letter and 
if you will question him you will find that his tale will correspond 
with my statement to you in this letter. His grave is noted by 
myself, Dossey, James, John Valentine, Warren Dykes and several 
others, so that we can find it a long time from now and I will go 
with you to the grave any time you want to go to it, that is if you 
want to carry him home, but if I were you and ever intended to 
carry him home, I would not undertake it now for it is a matter 
impossible to get wagons now and if there were plenty of wagons, 
the roads are blockaded so that there is no chance to get to Eddray 
with any kind of a carriage. It will be easier to carry him twelve 
months from now than it would be now. I am now about fifty miles 
from his grave at Rockbridge Alum Springs, five miles from the 
railroad. 

I hope these lines will find you and family all in good health. I 
am in bad health at this time, though my health is a great deal 
better than it has been. 

I close by saying, I am, 

Yours with great respect, 

William N. Ryle. 

To King Sanders. 


KIRKPATRICK’S TRIAL 

The Wilkinson County History would not be complete without 
the following article written by James P. Cooley and published in 
the Covington Enterprise which gives an account of Wilkinson 
County’s most unusual case, illustrating how man can defend him¬ 
self by his past deeds, in the hall of justice. James Kirkpatrick, 
was a veteran of the War Between the States, and also an Irishman 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


427 


who loved his grog and was not always the genial fellow when 
under its influence. There are those in Wilkinson County today 
who remember the trial. The trial was at Irwinton, Wilkinson 
County, of the October term of the Superior Court in 1873. Judge 
George T. Bartlett was presiding and ex-Solicitor General Flem 
Jordan was representing the state. For the defendant was M. N. 
Murphy. Mr. Cooley’s article follows: 

“The following named jurors were empaneled and sworn to try 
said case: (1) R. E. Hatfield, (2) W. J. Underwood, (3) S. J. Foun¬ 
tain, (4) James Jones, (5) W. A. Hall, (6) B. I. Stevens, (8) S. 
A. Hatfield, (9) J. K. Arrington, (10) J. L. DuPriest, (11) John 
Allen, (12) R. B. Yarborough. The testimony submitted on the part 
of the state was conclusive as to the defendant’s guilt, in that he 
without provocation, struck one William Smallwood over the head 
with a large butcher knife, almost killing him. 

Arguments of counsel for the state and defendant were made. 
The court had concluded his charge to the jury. The impression 
made on the minds of all those who heard the case was that there 
was no escape from a conviction. However, just at this time the 
defendant rose from his seat and addressed the court in the following 
manner: 

“Your honor, kin I say a word to the jury?” The court seemed 
surprised at this request and said: “You should have made this 
request before the jury was charged.” Kirk replied: “Your honor, 
I am nothing but a poor Irishman, and have no knowledge of the 
court rules, and in my humble way I thought that it was not proper 
for me to say one word until all the gentlemen had said all they 
wanted to say about the case, then I might be permitted to say a 
word in my own behalf.” 

The court replied by saying: “Oh, well, go ahead and say what 
you want to say to the jury.” Kirk then turned to the jury and 
said: 

“Gentlemen of the jury, this trial if concerned as to him indi¬ 
vidually, it would make but little difference as to what your verdict 
should be, but some of the best blood in the country flows in Kirk’s 
veins, and it would be a disgrace for such good people as he is 
related to to have a kinsman in the penitentiary. Besides I have 
a little boy named Tom, 6 years old at home sick. He can speak 
The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck until tears would come into 
your eyes, and for his sickness he would have been here to make 
a speech before you in my behalf. To convict the father of such 
a bright boy and send him to the penitentiary would be a blight 
upon his whole life, I know, gentlemen of the jury, that none of 
you desire to inflict punishment and bring disgrace upon good and 
innocent people. It is for this that you should spare Kirk. It would 
not disgrace Kirk, you understand, to convict him, and let the court 
send him to the penitentiary, but it would disgrace a lot of good 
folks. After all he is not such a bad fellow at heart. He takes his 
grog and he will fight and many have been sent away and carried 
off. Kirk is as good a fellow as Bill Smallwood, he is a great drunkard 
and was drunk when this difficulty occurred and Bill is as mean a 
man as can be and as sorry a fellow as Kirk, and you all know it. 
Kirk has done some good things and Bill never has done anything. 

“Now, Dick Hatfield, you remember the night after the battle 


428 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


at Baker’s Creek, you do, you were sent out on picket with nothing 
to eat. Kirk took your gun and stood at your post, he did, while you 
stepped aside to eat the corn. When you had eaten the second ear 
and dropped the cob, the noise you made attracted the enemy’s picket 
and he cut down on the sound and came near hitting Kirk, when 
it should have been you, Dick, instead of Kirk. You were in a tight 
then, Dick, you were, and Kirk stood by you. Now, Dick, remember 
that Kirk is in a tight. He wants you to stick, he does,” (slapping 
the juror on the knee.) Then he said: 

“Bill Underwood, you remember when you were at Point Look¬ 
out, a prisoner, sick and lousy, you were, Bill. Kirk then waited 
on you the best he could, he did, set by your side and brought you 
out and you are here now, you are. You were in a tight then, Bill, 
you were, and Kirk stood by you, he did. Remember, Bill, that Kirk 
is in a tight now and he wants you to stick” (slapping the juror 
on the knee). Then he said: 

“Seab Fountain, you remember when you were marching to Cor¬ 
inth after the battle of Shiloh, you remember how hungry and foot¬ 
sore we all were, Seab, you said, “Kirk, I am starved, but of all the 
things I want worse is a chew of tobacco; have you one, Kirk? 
Don’t say no.” Kirk took from his pocket his last chew, he did, and 
said, here it is, Seab. This is my last one, and I have been saving 
it all day until we struck camp that I may lay down on the flat of 
my back and enjoy it.” You looked at it so pitifully, Seab, and beg¬ 
ged me so hard for it, you did, until I gave it to you and went 
without myself. You thanked me and said you would remember 
me, Seab. You were in a tight and Kirk stacked. Now Kirk is in a 
tight and he wants you to stack.” Then he said: 

“Jim Jones, you remember when we were camped at Dalton in 
the winter of 1863, you do, you had missed your luck and gone 
broke in a game. You went to Kirk and begged him for a stake, ye did, 
and he loaned ye one, and ye went away and came back with plenty 
and paid me and said, Kirk, that loan did me more good than any 
favor I have ever received and I shall always remember you for it. 
Now, Jim, you were in a tight then and broke, and Kirk stuck. 
Remember that Kirk is in a tight now and wants you to stack sure. 

“Joe Johnson, you remember the night the army was driven from 
Missionary Ridge, you do. You had run out and lost your hat, and 
was bareheaded and shivering from cold, and came to Kirk and 
said, I never wanted a drink so bad in all of my life, and any man 
who has got any and will let me have it, I will not only pay him 
for it, but will stand by him to the last. You said it, Joe, Kirk had 
a canteen and he told you so. He did not pour it out in a spoon, but 
handed to you his canteen and let you take a drink, and begad, you 
came near drinking up the bulk of me quart, you did, Joe, and I 
charged you nothing for it. You were in a tight then, Joe, and Kirk 
stacked. Remember, Kirk is in a tight and he wants you to stack, 
Joe. Yes, stack, Joe. 

“Alfred Hall, you were always a good praying fellow and you 
and Kirk did not run together only when a fight was on, and then we 
were about. You remember the night after the battle of Resacca, 
you came to Kirk, after our line had fallen back, and said, ‘Kirk, 
my brother is left behind, either wounded or killed.’ You were 
wounded so that you could not go, and you requested Kirk to do 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


429 


you the favor to go and look after your brother. Then it was that 
Kirk told you he would do it. At the risk of his life Kirk went and 
found him, and he was mortally wounded, took him on his shoulder 
and carried him for a mile or more and brought him into our lines 
and laid him down and we saw him die. Now, Alfred, you thanked 
Kirk then for the kindness and said you always would remember 
it and if you could ever do him a favor, you would. Alfred, now Kirk 
is in a tight, and he wants you to stack. 

“Bart Stephens, you remember the night the army fell back from 
Kennesaw Mountain across the Chattahoochee river, you were sick,, 
you begged Kirk to stay with you and take care of you, you did. 
Kirk did so and carried your gun and knapsack all night for you, 
he did, and the next morning you thanked Kirk and told the cap¬ 
tain what had been done for you and you promised that you would 
always stick to Kirk, you did. Now, Bart, the time is at hand to 
stack to Kirk and if you think well of what he has done for you, 
stack. 

“Sam Hatfield, you remember in the battle of Atlanta what a 
bloody battle it was. You got wounded, you did. We had to fall back 
and form a new line and you called to Kirk, ‘Help me, don’t leave 
me alone here—the Yanks will get me,’ Kirk said, ‘Sam, begorra, 
I will do it,’ he did, took you on his back and carried you to a place 
of safety in the new lines. You thanked him then and said, ‘If I 
can be of any service to you, Kirk, call on me. N'ow, Sam, Kirk 
don’t remember that he has ever called on you before, but understand, 
he is calling now. He is in a tight and wants you to stack.” Then he 
said: 

“Jess Arrington, you remember when on the return after the 
bloody battle of Nashville in December, 1864, that it was sleeting 
and snowing and freezing and you were barefooted, you were. It 
was a terrible day, you and another soldier of some other command 
got into a scrap over a pair of shoes lying by the roadside, and 
about that time Kirk came up the other fellow was about to get 
the better of you, he was, Jess, but Kirk reinforced you and we 
soon put him to rout and held to the shoes, we did. Then you sat 
down and put them on and as you went on your way you were 
saying, ‘Kirk, these shoes make my feet feel so much better, and if 
it had not been for you that fellow would have defeated me and 
would have them on his own feet. I assure you that I appreciate 
your assistance and whenever an opportunity is offered, I certainly 
will stand by you. Now, Jess, Kirk has never called on you before 
but he seems to be in a tight now and is calling on you, and begorra, 
he wants you to stack. 

“You other gentlemen of the jury, whose names Kirk cannot 
recall, if I have not been of any service to you, do not blame Kirk, 
for it was only the want of an opportunity, and your misfortune 
for not being with Kirk for he certainly would have divided his 
last chew and his only drink with you, had a chance come in the way 
to have done so. Kirk is nothing but a dirty, drunken old Irishman, 
who has lost all the caste that blood and family gave him, but he 
carries a big heart and a forgiving spirit. He loves mercy and has 
a feeling for humanity. It is only when he has lost his head from 
drink that he is vicious and wants to fight. He is sorry that his 
neighbor was hurt, but it was not Kirk that hurt him, it was the 


430 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


grog that he was carrying that he ran up against and got hurt. 
Now, if these gentlemen of the jury who know Kirk and for whom he 
has done something are willing to stack to him and relieve him and 
his good kin folks and above all that bright little fellow from dis¬ 
grace then stand for Kirk and stack to him.” 

When Kirk took his seat the jury, the bar and the whole audience 
were deeply affected and manifested great sympathy for Kirk. The 
court only directed the jury to “Retire and return such verdict as 
you ought to find in this case.” The jury filed out of the box and 
returned within a few minutes with their verdict, handing it to the 
solicitor general, who announced aloud, “We, the jury, find the 
defendant not guilty.” Then a shout of applause went up receiving 
no rebuke from the court. Kirk was borne away from the court 
by friendly hands with congratulations. 

Thus ended the most important defense ever made by a defendant 
in any court in this state.” 


Genealogical Appendix 

Compiler’s note: It will be noted that many of the family sketches 
in this volume have been prepared by members of these families. 
Those written by the compiler of this history were based on infor¬ 
mation and family traditions furnished by members of these fami¬ 
lies, except where he was personally familiar with the family his¬ 
tory. Every competent genealogist recognizes the fact that it is ex¬ 
tremely hard to prevent errors creeping into such sketches, and 
while the compiler cannot vouch for the absolute accuracy of these 
family histories, yet, every possible effort has been made to elimi¬ 
nate mistakes. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


433 


THE JOHN BALL CHAPTER 
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

At the invitation of Mrs. W. T. Wall, a member of the Old 
Marion Chapter of the D. A. R., twenty-two ladies from Wilkin¬ 
son county met at the court house in Irwinton, Ga., to organize a 
local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. 
J. W. Hooks, Gordon, Ga., appointed by Mrs. Julius Talmadge, 
State Regent, was the organizing regent. Mrs. A. K. Smith was 
chosen temporary secretary. 

At the March meeting, Mrs. Hooks announced that the required 
number of application papers to organize were on file in the office 
of the organizing secretary-general in Washington and that after 
the National Board meeting in April everything would be in readi¬ 
ness to organize. 

The organization was perfected April 9, 1926. The following 
officers were elected: Mrs. J. W. Hooks, regent; Miss Nan Wood, 
first vice-regent; Mrs. C. G. Chapman, second vice-regent; Mrs. 
A. K. Smith, recording secretary; Miss Addigene Cason, corres¬ 
ponding secretary; Mrs. J. H. Duggan, treasurer; Mrs. C. G. 
Kitchens, registrar; Mrs. N. H. Bacon, historian; Miss Ida 
Hughes, chaplain. The name “John Ball” was chosen for the 
chapter. 

The following were charter members: Mesdames J. W. Hooks, 
C. G. Chapman, A. K. Smith, J. H. Duggan, C. G. Kitchens, N. 
H. Bacon, H. G. Lindsey, Victor Davidson, J. F. Porter, Sr., J. F. 
Porter, Jr., W. A. Jones, L. P. Player, Ruth Porter McKee, A. 
C. Todd, J. H. Chandler, E. N. Reynolds, Gertrude Carswell, E. 
L. Carswell, G. P. Bugg, and Misses Ida Hughes, Nan Wood, 
Lily Brown, Addigene Cason, Izetta and Willie Davis. 

The chapter unveiled a marker at the grave of Robert Barnett, 
a revolutionary soldier, in March, 1927. Markers for the graves of 
David Clay and William Mitchell have been secured and will be 
erected at an early date. 

On the Macon highway a marker, commerating the old Hart¬ 
ford Trail, was unveiled October 9, 1927. 


434 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The greatest piece of work that the chapter has undertaken has 
been the sponsoring of the Wilkinson County History. 

The following members have been added: Mesdames Fulmer 
Armstrong, E. J. Murphy, N. T. Nichols as an associate member, 
and Miss May Lamb. 

(By Miss Willis Davis, Sec.) 

JOHN BALL 

Senator John Ball, in whose honor, the John Ball Chapter of 
the Daughters of the American Revolution was named, according 
to family traditions, was born near Fredericksburg, Virginia, date 
unknown, but presumably about 1740, and according to these family 
traditions, was closely connected with the famous Ball Family of 
which Martha Washington was a member. 

It seems that John Ball removed to Camden District, South 
Carolina, just prior to the American Revolution, and was living 
there at the beginning of that struggle. We find on page twenty- 
five of Knight’s “Roster of the Revolution,” where he is certified 
as having served in the Revolution, by Col. Samuel Jack, who 
states further that Ball was of Camden District, S. C., and that he 
served in a Georgia Regiment. Page 404 of the same book gives 
the roster of the Regiment of Col. John Stewart, in which John 
Ball served as a private. On page 397, we find him receiving a 
Bounty Warrant as a veteran of the Revolution, bearing date of 
1784. He evidently moved first to Warren County, Georgia, about 
the close of the Revolution, as Mrs. J. H. Duggan, a descendant, 
gives the information that he is buried at Warrenton. He later 
moved to his bounty lands in Washington County and established 
Ball’s Ferry near by. 

When Wilkinson County was opened up for settlement by the 
treaty of Fort Wilkinson and the later acts of the Legislature, there 
was a deluge of settlers seeking new lands. John Ball, himself, was 
one of these, though, at the same time, he retained his Washington 
County plantations, and apparently merely moved a short distance 
across the river from the ferry. As a mark of the esteem in which 
he was being held by his neighbors, those who knew him best, we 
find John Ball being elected to the highest office that the people of 
Wilkinson County could offer, that of State Senator. He served in 
this capacity for two terms. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


435 


According to the records found at the courthouse at Irwinton, 
John Ball amassed quite a fortune for that day. At his death in 
1815, he owned in addition to his plantations in Washington and 
Wilkinson Counties, his ferry, which was considered valuable prop¬ 
erty in that day, besides numerous slaves; large quantities of live¬ 
stock, and other personal property. 

In every generation among John Ball’s descendants in this 
county are numbered many of the most prominent men and women 
that the county has afforded. Senator Wesley King married a 
daughter of his son, Anson Ball. Captain Green B. Burney who 
commanded the Wilkinson Greys in the Indian War of 1836, later 
a member of the Legislature married another daughter of Anson 
Ball. 


GORDON WOMAN’S CLUB 

On December 30, 1915, a small band of Gordon’s progressive 
women met and organized the Wimodausis Club, whose name was 
later changed to the Gordon Woman’s Club. 

The club immediately federated with the Georgia Federation of 
Women’s clubs and joined the General Federation April 6, 1916. 

The object of the organization was mutual council, helpfulness, 
and service of women in promoting educational, civic, social and 
moral advancement in the community. It might well have been 
called a Benevolent Society for the members have looked after the 
sick, poor, needy and distressed, besides contributing to all worthy 
calls both in the District and State Federation. 

If the history of the Gordon Woman’s club life could be written 
in full from the early days to the present era of glorious achieve¬ 
ment and worthy tribute could be paid the women, who have given 
time and strength, and love, in the service of others, there would be 
a volume of absorbing human interest of lofty purpose and splendid 
deeds that would be a beacon light to the generations to come. 

It is non-partisan and non-sectarian and the poor is as welcome to 
membership as the well-to-do. Its motto is: “The best is yet to be.’ 
The club colors are white and green and the flower is the pink car¬ 
nation. 

The first president was Mrs. J. W. Hooks who was followed by 
Mrs. W. W. Lee, Mrs. J. W. Daniel, Mrs. S. H. Brantley, Mrs. 
J. J. Preece, Mrs. L. M. White, Miss Tom Elam, Mrs. S. R. 


436 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Owen, Mrs. Nelle Newman Downs and Mrs. G. H. Miller. 

If space permitted a glorious history might be recorded of the 
services of the presidents of the club since organization to the highly 
developed body of women of 1929 under the leadership of the pres¬ 
ent president Mrs. J. W. Brooks, Jr., with the following officers 
and active members: Mrs. S. R. Owen, first vice-president; Mrs. 
Sol Isenberg, second vice-president; Mrs. D. P. Lee, recording sec¬ 
retary; Mrs. G. H. Miller, corresponding secretary; Mrs. J. W. 
Hooks, treasurer; Mrs. R. L. Sanders, chaplain; Mrs. J. B. Butts, 
press reporter. Misses Louise Brookins, Annie Lou Camp, Rosa 
Isenberg and Janie Elam. Mesdames R. P. Anderson, R. H. Camp, 
T. L. Davis, J. L. Dennard, G. W. DuPree, Lilly Etheridge, J. F. 
Hall, I. A. Henderson, W. D. Irby, W. A. Jones, E. C. Knight, C. 
G. Kitchens, E. H. Lewis, Tom Lewis, J. G. Methvin, G. S. Pow¬ 
ell, Thurman Sanders, and Janie Walker Frasuer. 

Mrs. J. W. Hooks. 

ROBERT TOOMBS CHAPTER 
UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY 
TOOMBSBORO, GEORGIA 

Motto—Remembering the Past, We Build for the Future. 
The first preliminary meeting of Robert Toombs Chapter, U. 
D. C., was held in the summer of 1923 at the Christian Church, 
Toombsboro, Ga. Those present decided to ask Miss Louise Sulli¬ 
van, President of Mary Ann Williams Chapter U. D. C., Sanders- 
ville, Ga., to help in organizing the chapter, and after meetings at 
the home of Miss Addigene Cason and Mrs. T. H. Bridwell,, Jr., 
the organization was completed and a committee was appointed to 
draw up the constitution and by-laws. The charter of Roberts 
Toombs Chapter was granted in August, 1924, No. 1844. 

The first regular meeting was held at the home of Mrs. F. B. 
Chambers and officers elected as follows: President, Mrs. L. R. 
Cason, Jr. (Mary Ligon) ; First Vice-Pres., Mrs. Victor David¬ 
son (Edna Nesbit) ; 2nd Vice-Pres., Mrs. H. E. Stephens (Mayme 
Hughes) ; Rec. Sec., Mrs. E. M. Boone (Daisy Thomas) ; Treas., 
Miss Addigene Cason; Cor. Sec., Mrs. T. H. Bridwell, Jr. (Alice 
Freeman) ; Historian, Mrs. P. M. Jackson (Leila Florence 
Boyd) ; Registrar, Mrs. A. G. Todd (Sarah Cason). Among those 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


437 


who afterward served as officers were: Mrs. Victor Davidson, three 
years as President; Mrs. W. H. Freeman (Lorah Brannan) three 
years as 1st Vice-Pres.; and Mrs. Roy Cannon (Lillian Roberts) 
one year as Historian. The officers at present (1929-1930) are: 
Pres., Mrs. E. M. Boone; 1st Vice-Pres., Mrs. J. H. Shelton 
(Mary Player) ; 2nd Vice-Pres., Mrs. Victor Davidson; Rec. Sec., 
Mrs. L. R. Cason, Jr.; Treas., Miss Addigene Cason; Cor. Sec., 
Mrs. Marvin Hall (Ruby Culpepper) ; Historian, Mrs. A. C. 
Todd; Registrar, Mrs. F. B. Chambers (Lamar Albea) ; Chap¬ 
lain, Mrs. N. H. Bacon (Elizabeth Brett Camp). 

When first organized, the chapter held ten meetings yearly, but 
with the growth of interest the number was raised to eleven. The 
Chapter has never failed of its regular monthly meeting, with a 
historical program at each meeting, and all anniversaries have been 
observed. From a Charter membership of fifteen the chapter has 
grown to number forty-four and new members are being added 
steadily. 

As set forth in its articles of Incorporation, the objects of the 
U. D. C. are historical, benevolent, educational and social. Striv¬ 
ing ever to remember these aims and with a real appreciation of the 
privilege of having a part in this great work, the members of Rob¬ 
ert Toombs Chapter are proud of their heritage. 

(Chapter Committee.) 

WILKINSON COUNTY CHAPTER UNITED 
DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY 

The Wilkinson County Chapter U. D. C., was organized April 
26, 1919, by the State President, Mrs. Herbert Franklin. 

The first president was Mrs. J. W. Hooks. Under her leadership 
and with the warmest good will of the following members: Mes- 
dames Annie Burke Branan, Clifford Lewis Brooks, Gussie Cum¬ 
mings Davis, Clara Hatfield Davis, Mary Davis Fountain, Janie 
Walker Frasuer, Jessie Brundage Gibbs, Lizzie Conyers Key, An¬ 
nie Dumas Miller, Daisy Robertson Padgett, Gillie Sanders Pow¬ 
ell, Arvilla Fountain Sanders, Willie Parker Tinsley, Moses Reg¬ 
ister. Misses Pearl Byington, Izetta Davis, Willie Davis, Sadie 
Davis. Stattie Viola McCook, Annie Laurie McCook, Sara Jane 


438 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


McCook, Mary Fountain and Mary Lizzie Stripling, the chapter 
began its career. 

The community’s attitude is worthy of note because it was partly 
in response to a patriotic public desire for annual observances of 
Memorial Day in Gordon, that the work of the Chapter was begun. 

Since that day it has become an annual custom to invite the Con¬ 
federate Veterans of the county, their wives and widows, to the 
memorial exercises and basket dinner following. 

Prior to this the people of the town met a few times at the ceme¬ 
tery and placed flowers and Confederate flags on the graves of the 
veterans who lay calmly sleeping there, and held a short program of 
singing and speaking to attest the love and admiration for the 
“noble dead” and to the “noble living.” 

Gordon’s interest in the lost, but ever-living cause has deepened 
and widened and while no tall shafts of marble have been reared to 
commemorate the memory of those who fought for a noble cause, 
the members of the chapter have worked zealously to do all the good 
they could to alleviate as much suffering and distress among the re¬ 
maining veterans and their wives as was possible with a small 
treasury. 

The present active officers and members of the chapter are as fol¬ 
lows: Mrs. C. E. Gladden, President; Mrs. J. W. Brooks, Jr., 
Vice-President; Mrs. W. D. Dewell, Recording Secretary; Mrs. 
T. J. Finney, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. L. J. Fountain, 
Treasurer; Mrs. J. W. Hooks, Historian; Mrs. Janie W. Frasuer, 
Registrar; Mrs. R. L. Sanders, Chaplain, and Mesdames T. B. 
Dennard, G. W. DuPree, J. F. Hall, J. S. Miller, Misses Pearl 
Byington, Izetta Davis, Willie Davis and Emma McArthur. 

(Mrs. J.W. Hooks.) 

W. C. AD AMS.FAMILY 

Few families have produced more men of ability than has been 
found among the descendants of Wyriott Cason Adams. His fa¬ 
ther, Peter Adams, came from North Carolina as one of the first 
settlers of Wilkinson County, building his home in what is now r 
Laurens County about two miles from Blackshear’s Ferry. So well 
did he select the material that the house is yet standing. Here he 
reared his family, his son, Wyriott Cason, being born Oct. 2, 1823. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


439 


The latter was married Oct. 29, 1846, to Martha Ann Hall (Jan. 
27, 1828-Oct. 11, 1903) the daughter of Isaac and Susanna (Ross) 
Hall, (see Hall Sketches.) They made their home near where their 
son, Edgar, now lives. Their children were: Abilean Horace, Isaac 
Wyriott, Cuyler Hall, Dorah, Oscar Cason, Edgar, and Josie 
Homer. 

W. C. Adams proved a successful planter and was highly re¬ 
garded by his fellow men. The war coming on he served in Co. D, 
8th Ga. Reg. with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Although a man of 
ability, he was not one to push himself into the forefront in public 
life, and was not what is commonly called a politician. However, in 
1872 when the contest was on which was to result in the restora¬ 
tion of the Democratic party to power, while at home at work, WV 
A. Hall returning from the County Democratic Convention noti¬ 
fied him of the fact that he had been nominated for Representa¬ 
tive. At first refusing to enter politics, the urging that it was for 
the success of the party induced him to accept. One of the first bills 
he introduced was that creating a Board of County Commissioners. 

His son, Cuyler Hall Adams (Dec. 16, 1854-May 26, 1919), 
was reared on his father’s farm and attended school at Red Level. 
He first married Eula Beall, daughter of T. N. Beall, and their 
children were: Alva, m. Rachel Lassiter; Lallah, m. Leon Hall; 
E. Cuyler, m. Leo White; Sybil, m. 1st Chas. Butler, 2nd, H. A. 
Green. After the death of Eula, he married Grace Rogers and to 
this union were born: Sam, m. Annette Butler; Lucile, m. j. o. 
Cannon; and Dewey Cecil (Pat). His third wife was Dora Strip¬ 
ling, of Macon. Their children: Hazel and Calton. 

C. H. Adams was also a successful farmer as well as a successful 
merchant, he with his son, Alva, operated a store for many years, 
located where Walnut Creek School now stands. He accumulated 
considerable property and was one of the foremost citizens of the 
County. Public spirited, friendly and hospitable, he was highly re¬ 
garded by his fellowmen. Aspiring to the office so ably filled by his 
father, he was elected and served during 1905-6-7-8 as Representa¬ 
tive. He also served as County Commissioner for several years. 

This sketch would be incomplete were it not to include a brief 
mention of Alva, the oldest son of C. H. and Eula B. Adams, one 
of the best friends the schools of Wilkinson ever had—Walnut 
Creek, the improvements in the Danville School—are monuments 


440 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


to his leadership. Intensely loyal to his friends, generous to a fault, 
his untimely passing was indeed a blow to Wilkinson County. 

Oscar Cason and Abilean Horace Adams are successful planters 
residing in Laurens County. Wiley Adams, a son of A. H., is 
Sheriff of the City Court of Dublin. 

Edgar is the only son of W. C. Adams now in Wilkinson County 
and is still living at the old home of the Adams. He has never mar¬ 
ried having assumed the care of his widowed mother until her 
death. He takes great pride in his father’s honorable record and has 
striven to maintain the high standards of honesty and uprightness 
fixed by his father’s example. He is one of the county’s prominent 
farmers and is respected by all those who know him best as a man 
of integrity. He served in 1911-14 as County Commissioner and 
through the years 1921-1923 as Superintendent of County Chain- 
gang. His efficient handling of this, the most expensive phase of the 
County’s operations, proved him to be conscientious in the discharge 
of his duties. 


WILLIS ALLEN 

Willis Allen was born in Pulaski County and moved later to 
Cool Springs, now known as Allentown, where he engaged in the 
mercantile business and had vast farming interests. He was suc¬ 
cessful in business, public spirited and noted for his generosity and 
helpfulness to those in trouble. During the War Between the States 
when Sherman’s troops marched through Wilkinson, leaving a trail 
of desolation, Willis Allen came to the aid of those in distress and 
sent wagon loads of food, clothing and other necessities. He was a 
member of Cool Springs Masonic Lodge. 

According to tradition, the Allens came from Belfast, Ireland. 
James Allen, father of Willis Allen, was born June 29, 1782, 
died May 22, 1837. He married Jane Coleman, born Sept. 30, 
1778, died Sept. 23, 1851. Their children were Mary (1806-1865) 
Married Linkfield Perkins. After his death she married Wyatt 
Meredith. (No children.) William, born 1811, married Nancy 
Lee. Their children were Mary (married Tom Sanders), Hiram, 
Willis, William, Coleman, John, Jesse, Crawford, Clifford. John 
W., born Sept. 15, 1812, died Feb. 28, 1856. Married Mary Ellen 
—. No children. Willis, born Dec. 16, 1815, died Feb. 21, 1871. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


441 


Married first to Mary Ann Meredith, daughter of Wyatt Mere¬ 
dith, born Aug. 22, 1829, died June 7, 1857. Of their six children, 
only two lived. John, born Dec. 21, 1845, died June 7, 1894. 
Married Isabel King, 1869. Served in War Between the States. 
Willis, Jr., born Feb. 15, 1857. Willis Allen’s second wife was 
Sarah Rebecca Meredith, born Nov. 16, 1838, died July 4, 1926. 
She was a daughter of Samuel Meredith and Elizabeth (Burke) 
Meredith. Mrs. Allen was a leader in her community, where she 
was active in church and public affairs. She acted as steward in the 
church for twenty-five years and superintended Sunday School for 
forty years. She was one of the founders of the Allentown Metho¬ 
dist Church and gave the lot for the church and parsonage. The 
children of Willis and Sarah Allen were: Susan, born i860, mar¬ 
ried Washington Baker, Jan. 12, 1882, died May 30, 1883. Jane 
Coleman, born Nov. 3, 1861, married George Orinthus Allen 
Daughtry Nov. 5, 1882. James, born March 15, 1861, married 
Lilia King, Oct. 30,. 1894. Elizabeth, born Feb. 24, 1866, died 
Aug. 30, 1867. Sarah Burke, born May 4, 1868, married Fred¬ 
erick Shepherd who died 1890. Then married John J. King Sept. 
26 , 1894. Wvatt Meredith, born May 4, 1868, married Mary 
Louise King Sept. 16, 1913. Robert Carroll, born Feb. 13, 1871, 
married Nettie Pickron, 1894, died May 14, 1926. 

Jane Coleman Allen married G. O. A. Daughtry. Their chil¬ 
dren are: Helen Virginia, Jennie Sue, Allen Willis (married Re¬ 
becca Hearn Nov. 12, 1927.), George O. A., Jr., Sarah Elizabeth 
(married Drane D. Smith Nov. 15, 1916), Annie Moore Daugh¬ 
try. Allen Willis Daughtry and George O. A. Daughtry, Jr., 
served in the World War. The children of Sarah Elizabeth and 
Drane Smith are Helen Virginia, Jane Estelle and George Daugh¬ 
try. 

(By Miss Jennie Daughtry) 

NATHANIEL HUNTER BACON 

Nathaniel Hunter Bacon was born October 24, 1886, Lexington, 
Georgia, the son of Lewis Howard Bacon and Annie Mae Hunter, 
grandson of Nathan Hunter and Sarah Richter, Joel John Bacon 
and Emily Susan Howard; great-grandson of Nathan Hunter 
.and Annie H. Smith. He traces his Revolutionary ancestry to 


442 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Lewis DuPre who served his country as Captain during the War 
and as a member of the Provincial Congress. He was raised to the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel during the War. 

Although not a native of Wilkinson County yet Mr. Bacon has 
adopted this as his home and is recognized as one of its leading 
and public spirited citizens. He is Mayor of Irwinton; a member 
of the Masonic Lodge; is now serving as a member of the Trustees 
of the Wilkinson County High School and is a consistent Democrat. 

Mr. Bacon served as Bank Auditor before coming to Irwinton 
in 1919, when he resigned his position to become cashier of the 
Irwinton Bank, which position he has filled ever since. His business¬ 
like methods of operating the bank has won for him the approbation 
of its officials. 

In addition to his duties as banker, Mr. Bacon operates very 
successfully his model farm, growing on it the finest varieties of 
fruits, vegetables and other food products. Besides his fine milch 
cows, Mr. Bacon is a breeder of pure-bred Poland-China hogs for 
which he finds a ready market. 

He was married February 3, 1916, to Elizabeth Brett Camp, 
the daughter of Dr. B. F. Camp (1852-1928) and Annie Slade 
Brett Camp; grand-daughter of George and Sallie (Cutchins) 
Camp and of George Augustus Brett and Mary (Slade) Brett; 
great-grand-daughter of William and Penelope Slade; great-great- 
great-grand-daughter of William and Anne (Gainor) Slade. Mrs. 
Bacon is justly proud of her Virginia and North Carolina lineage 
tracing her ancestry also to Colonel Benjamin Blount who served 
as Colonel during the Revolutionary War and whose line goes back 
to the Danes who came to England in the seventh century. She 
is a member of the John Ball Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, and is now serving as Vice-Regent of the Chapter. She 
is a degree graduate of Hollins College, Virginia, and is serving as 
one of the teachers in the Wilkinson County High School. She is 
active in the work of the Baptist Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have six children; Nathaniel Hunter, Jr., 
Franklin Camp, John Brett, Paul Howard, Anne Elizabeth, and 
Catherine Virginia. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


443 


ALEXANDER BAUM AND AMELIA FRIED BAUM 

Alexander Baum was born in Sohern, Germany, in the year 
1822, and came to America at the age of 25 years and located in 
Irwinton, Ga. In the year 1850 he was married to Amelia Fried, 
who was born in Monzinger, Germany, and came to this country 
with her sister, Mrs. Louis Gardner, at whose home she was mar¬ 
ried. 

Unto this union eleven children were born, ten of whom reached 
manhood and womanhood. They were N. B. Baum, A. W. Baum, 
Mrs. Matilda B. Kohn, Mrs. Rebecca B. Fenchel, Mrs. Georgia B. 
Brunson, Mrs. Annie B. Hughs, Emmett M. Baum, D. B. Baum, 
Miss Caroline Baum and Warren J. Baum. 

Alexander Baum was a successful business man, who began poor 
but accumulated a sufficiency of this world’s goods. He was of a 
noble, generous, kindly nature, and those less fortunate than he 
found in him a friend ever ready to give and give generously of his 
possessions. When the War Between the States was declared, 
though of foreign birth, he championed the cause of the Confederacy 
and enlisted in the Militia and fought bravely and well throughout 
the conflict. Being appointed keeper over the Commissary, he per¬ 
sonally looked after the wants and comforts of his comrades, as it 
was humanly possible in those trying times, helping to make them 
comfortable and contented. While he was away in the conflict, his 
family suffered severely at the hands of Sherman’s men, who put 
his wife and children out in the rain till they ransacked his home 
and took all their valuables and left Mrs. Baum with a severe cold 
that resulted in her total deafness, from which she never could hear 
again. Alexander Baum died in Atlanta, Ga. in September, 1885, 
and was buried in Savannah, Ga., in the family burial ground. 

Too much cannot be said of Amelia Baum. She was truly a 
noble woman in Israel; and in every walk of life, as wife, mother 
and friend she gave living proof of the traditions of her fore-fath¬ 
ers faith. Religious, generous, kind, charitable, noble and good, no 
one ever left her presence, however heavily ladened with sorrow 
and care, but who was inspired with her religious faith. To be re¬ 
ligious means to be good; and this was truly exemplified in every 
act of hers. To the proud, she was tolerant, to the oppressed, she was 
inspiring, to the poor, charitable, to the sick, comforting, and most 


444 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


helpful to those who had lost their way in this life. She died in Ir- 
winton, Ga., in October, 1910, at the age of 86 years, leaving a 
mental picture of all that was beautiful and good in life. She is 
buried by the side of her husband in Savannah, Ga., in Laurel 
Grove Cemetery. 

(Written by a member of the family) 

JAMES' MORRIS BEALL 

At Carnesville, Ga., Dec. 10, 1824, was born James Morris 
Beall, fifth son of Gen. William and Nancy Chandler Beall. His 
father, a descendant of that great Indian fighter of colonial days, 
Col. Ninian Beall, and of Thaddeus Beall, who w r as Brigadier 
Major on the stall of Gen. Resin Beall in the Revolution, was 
himself a soldier of the War of 1812, and later, Assistant Adjutant 
General of Georgia. His mother, a woman of prayer and strong 
faith, was from a pious, intelligent family. 

In 1832, his family moved to Carroll, then a frontier county. 
There on the farm which they cleared he grew to young manhood, 
developing mind, character and muscle. 

He next clerked in a store at Carrollton. Then he organized the 
firm of Beall and Thomason, and became manager. This was a 
success. Later he wound up an estate in Texas for some Georgia 
heirs. The exposure incident to the long, arduous trip and return 
on horseback, brought on rheumatism, which rendered him an in¬ 
valid for five years. His capital exhausted, but undaunted when 
able to ride he bought horses on credit and drove them to Florida, 
thus financing his winters in that climate. Thus recuperated he was 
soon able to enter the store of his brother, T. N. Beall, at Irwinton. 

In Oct., 1861, he followed the family traditions, enlisting and 
becoming 1st Lieutenant of Company G, 2nd Ga. State Troops, 
with Capt. R. L. Storey which were detailed by Gov. Brown for 
coast and bridge defense. After six months there he joined a com¬ 
pany for service in the Confederate army, but was unable to pass 
the physical test. Appointed clerk in the Comptroller General’s 
Office at Milledgeville he remained there till the war closed. 

While a soldier, he had, April 22, 1862, married Miss Mattie 
A. E. Hughs, daughter of Rev. G. B. Hughs. They now bravely 
set to work and through their united efforts acquired a farm in 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


445 


Wilkinson County making there a happy home in which their 
family of six children was reared. No man ever had the help of a 
more plucky or devoted wife. Having united her fortunes with his 
under clouds of war, she remained his comfort and stay till he fell 
asleep Sept. 12, 1906. 

One of his comrades wrote of him: “He was a good man, a fine 
officer; he was so patient with the men, even when they were in¬ 
clined to be disobedient. If ever angry he never showed it. During 
the whole service I never saw a thing in him but the best a man 
could be.” 

With the tenderness of a woman, the temperament of a poet, the 
courage of a Bayard, the sense of honor that made his word his 
bond, he was faithful and true in all the relationships of life. 

His children are: James, Green, and Thomas A. Beall, Mattie, 
(Mrs. Drew Davidson), Sallie, Mrs. Nobie Ward Dykes, and 
the grandchildren are: Misses Clara and Mattie Will Beall, Ar¬ 
thur and J. B. Davidson. 

(By Mrs. Nobie Ward Dykes.) 

ROSS AUGUSTUS BELL 

Ross Augustus Bell, late Tax Collector of Wilkinson County, 
was horn a few miles Southwest of Irwinton, March 14, 1864, the 
son of John Ross Bell and Mary Webster (Brooks) Bell, (the 
daughter of Philip Brooks a veteran of the War of 1812). John 
Ross Bell was the son of John Bartlett and Elizabeth (Herndon) 
Bell. The Bells are of Scotch descent, having migrated first to Ire¬ 
land and later to Virginia. John Bartlett Bell was born in Virginia 
and removed from there to North Carolina first and later to Wil¬ 
kinson County, he died about 1868. His son, John Ross Bell, served 
faithfully in Co. D, 57th Ga. Regiment during the War Between 
the States. When he first enlisted he could not write his name but 
the necessity of writing home caused him to get other members of 
the Company to teach him and in three months he was writing his 
own letters. 

Our subject’s education was obtained mainly at Bethel, Lindsey 
and Irwinton Schools. Growing up as he did during the terrible 
Reconstruction Era, when the youth of Wilkinson was so busy re¬ 
building the losses inflicted by Sherman’s Army and the aftermath 


446 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


of the war, his schooling was necessarily limited but he took ad¬ 
vantage of the opportunities he had and made the most of them. 
Honest, honorable and upright, Mr. Bell won the respect of all 
those who knew him best. He owned, at his death, January 8, 1930, 
a well kept farm where he lived and was considered one of the best 
and most progressive farmers of his section. Mr. Bell, at the in¬ 
sistence of his many friends, entered the race for Tax Collector in 
1924, and was elected. So well did he fill the position to the satis¬ 
faction of the voters that in 1928, he was re-elected to this office. 

Mr. Bell was married April 3rd, 1890, to Sarah Hatfield, the 
daughter of John Richard and Sarah (Hughs) Hatfield, who was 
the daughter of Whitfield Hughs and granddaughter of Rev. John 
Hughs, one of the most prominent Baptist preachers in the history 
of the county. Richard Hatfield was the son of Joseph and Martha 
(Freeman) Hatfield who was the daughter of George Washington 
Freeman, a descendant of John Freeman. Joseph Hatfield was the 
son of Richard (1765-1859) and Rebecca (Player, 1767-1860) 
Hatfield. Both Joseph and his son, John Richard, served in the War 
Between the States. Joseph died on the march of Western Con¬ 
federate army from Kentucky. John Richard was detailed to guard 
prisoners in Andersonville and was there at the close of the war, 
bringing home his sword and blanket. One of Mrs. Bell’s most 
cherished possessions is her father’s sword. After the creation of 
the Board of County Commissioners he served as a member for sev¬ 
eral years. 

According to family traditions, Richard’s father was a Scotch 
sailor on a vessel plying between Charleston and the Old Country, 
and brought Richard with him from Scotland when only seven years 
of age. Richard’s daughter, Frankie, who married Fletcher Reed, 
had the Scotch brogue. Richard’s children were: Jane, Mary Ann, 
Bernetta, Martha, Frankie, Caleb, John, Samuel William, Joe, 
Huckaby and James. On all their lines of ancestry, both Mr. and 
Mrs. Bell can justly claim descent from the best original pioneer 
stock of Wilkinson County and on the Hughs line, Mrs. Bell can 
trace her ancestry to the Revolution. 

Mrs. Bell is one of nature’s sweet and lovable, noble women, 
kind and considerate, neighborly and hospitable. She visits the sick 
and ministers to the needy. To know her is to love her. She is a 
faithful member of the Ball’s Methodist Church. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


447 


Mr. and Mrs. Bell have reared four children: Jack Ross, L. 
Wesley, Otho W., Raleigh, and had one daughter, Mary Lora, who 
died 1912. They have given their children all the advantages of the 
best schools the county afforded. Their oldest son, J. R., was mar¬ 
ried to Emmie Ruth Pennington, Dec. 17, 1916, and in 1925 while 
in the employ of the Pynetree Paper Company at Gordon, he was 
accidentally killed by a heavy roll of paper falling on him. He left 
two sons, Jack, Jr., and Billy. 

L. Wesley was married in 1925 to Jessie Mae Shepherd and is 
farming near Irwinton. 

Otho W., after graduating at the Irwinton High School, assisted 
his father in the management of the duties of the Tax Collector’s 
Office until his death and was appointed to fill the vacancy until an 
election could be held, which resulted in his favor. He, in all 
probability, holds the record for being the youngest Tax Collector 
in Georgia. He was married in 1928, to Ethel Jackson, a success¬ 
ful school teacher of the county. 

Raleigh is a student at the Irwinton High School. 

THE BILLUE FAMILY 

Stephen Billue came to America among a band of Hugenots 
from France before the Revolutionary War (supposedly) about 
1765, and settled in Waxhaw, North Carolina, the birthplace of 
Andrew Jackson. 

According to family tradition he left with Jackson’s two older 
brothers to fight in America’s behalf. He served through the war 
and came back to Waxhaw. (Jackson’s brothers were killed and 
brought back and buried on the church ground of the “Old Round 
Top” Presbyterian Church near Waxhaw of which the Jacksons 
and Stephen Billue were the founders) Stephen Billue and all his 
descendants that remained in North Carolina are buried at “Old 
Round Top.” (See church record now in possession of Mrs. Bessie 
Steele Ardrey, Pineville, North Carolina, Route 16.) 

He married Elizabeth Williams (a native of Ireland who came 
over before the war about the year 1780). Only two children were 
born to them, Stephen, Jr., born 1802 who lived and died in North 
Carolina and James Richmond born 1804 who was the first of the 
Billues to settle in Georgia. He came at the age of about thirty-five 


448 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


and settled near Big Sandy Church, “The Old Billue Place.” He 
bought approximately one thousand acres of land, mostly forest 
then. 

James Richmond married at the age of thirty-eight, Miss Sallie 
Dupree, who died about a year later. 

Then at the age of forty-three he married Miss Elizabeth Ford- 
ham who was the daughter of Benjamin Fordham and came from 
North Carolina in 1812 when she was only two years old. They 
crossed the Oconee River about the mouth of Big Sandy Creek. 
They carved their names and date on a beech tree that stood on the 
bank. 

There was only one child, the late James Franklin Billue, born 
1850 (March 1). 

On October 19, 1883, James Richmond Billue died and is bu¬ 
ried at the Fordham Cemetery in the lower part of Wilkinson 
County (near Oconee Church). His wife, Elizabeth Fordham Bil- 
iue, lived several years longer and died on May 31, 1912, at the age 
of 102 years. She is also buried in the Fordham Cemetery which is 
near the old Fordham home. 

James Franklin Billue was very active in politics, being Justice 
of the Peace in his early life and Clerk of Commissioners in his 
later years. No one loved his friends better than “Squire” as he was 
commonly called. He was a special friend of Thomas E. Watson 
and for many years his leading support in this county. He was a 
member of the Big Sandy Baptist Church practically all of his life. 

He was married to Miss Dora Viola Adams, the only daughter 
of W. C. and Martha Hall Adams (See W. C. Adams sketch). 

Seven children were born to them, namely: Isaac Franklin, Min¬ 
nie Viola, Bessie Belva, Dotha Vivian, Dora Agnes, J. F., Jr., and 
Mattie Sue. 

Isaac Franklin, the oldest, born October 1, 1875, like his father 
was also active in politics in his earlier years. He has been a mem¬ 
ber of the Irwinton Baptist Church for thirty years and for the last 
fifteen years a deacon. Also a director of the Irwinton Bank since it 
was founded in 1911. He is a lover of music and for many years 
taught singing schools in different parts of the state. 

Being the first Rural Letter Carrier in the County he has served 
Uncle Sam twenty-eight years and has refused the Presidency of 
Tenth District Association. He married first in 1902, Fannie (E 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


449 


Hartley, daughter of Hiram A. and Anna Jane Hoover Hartley, 
granddaughter of Hillery and Rhoda (Mason) Hartley. Hillery 
Hartley was a veteran of the Indian War in 1836, being a member 
of the Wilkinson Grays under the command of Capt. G. B. Burney. 

Isaac F. had one child, Louise, by his first marriage. He was 
married second to Emma Clifford Hartley in 1907 youngest sister 
of Fannie G. Hartley. They have nine children, namely: Dorothy 
Jacqualin, Isaac Felix, Helen Winona, James Richmond, Martha 
Elizabeth, John Hiram, Marion Adams, Edvthe Lorraine, and 
Carolyn Dolores. 

Mr. Billue is justly proud of his ancestors and among his highly 
prized possessions is a letter from Stephen Billue, Jr., son of 
Stephen Billue, Sr., from Walkerville, N. C., written at the age of 
82 years to the widow of James Richmond, his brother’s wife. 

(Prepared by Miss Dorothy Billue.) 

JOHN PINK BLOODWORTH 

Of all the families of Wilkinson County none exceeds in numer¬ 
ous descendants and family connections of the Bloodworth family. 
And of such a family which has produced so many notable men of 
the county, none has excelled John Pink Bloodworth in sterling 
character and integrity. 

His grandfather, Henry Bloodworth, for whom Bloodworth 
District was named, a pioneer settler of the county, came from 
North Carolina with his two brothers, Timothy and William, 
neither of whom ever married. Henry married first a Miss Tem¬ 
ples. Their children were James and Miles Bloodworth. Henry’s 
second wife was a Miss Philips. Their children were: John, born 
1827, Chesley, Thomas and William. 

John married Louie Nalos, born 1831, whose mother was Mary 
McClary Fountain who first married Nalos, and after his death 
married James Webb. 

John Pink Bloodworth, the son of John and Louie, was born 
May 17, 1855, near Ivey in Wilkinson County. The war coming 
on his father enlisted in the Confederate army. After the war was 
over his father gave him the best education the schools of the 
county afforded, and under the tutelage of Dr. E. Z. F. Golden, he 
was prepared to enter Mercer University. However, he decided to 


450 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


enter the timber business and farming. In this he was a success. In 
J 885 he was married to Miss Alice Pauline Whitehurst, born 1859, 
the daughter of Thomas C. and Rebecca (Walters) Whitehurst. 
She was educated at Monroe Female College, now Bessie Tift. 
To them were born three sons: Julian F., John Fleming, T. Edwin 
(See sketches of Whitehurst family and of J. Fleming Bloodworth). 

In 1886 Mr. Bloodworth was elected Tax Collector of the 
county serving one term, but declined to stand for re-election. In 
1892 during the heated Democratic-Populist Campaign at the 
insistence of his friends he announced for the legislature on the 
Democratic ticket. So well was he known and respected by the 
people of the whole county that he was overwhelmingly elected, not 
only getting the Democratic vote but a vast number of the Populist 
votes. Two years later he was again elected to the same office, but 
after that he retired from active politics. 

In 1890 Mr. Bloodworth acquired and moved to the Thomas C. 
Whitehurst ante-bellum home which he rebuilt into a modern resi¬ 
dence. He was a faithful member of the Gordon Methodist Church; 
served for years as Worshipful Master of the Gordon Masonic 
Dodge. 

Not only did he give his own children every educational advantage 
but he encouraged his neighbors likewise to educate theirs. 

It might be well said of him to his memory Wilkinson County 
can never do too much honor. 

JOHN FLEMING BLOODWORTH 

John Fleming Bloodworth was born on the 27th day of March, 
1893, at the old homestead near Lewiston, the son of John Pink 
Bloodworth and Alice Pauline (Whitehurst) Bloodworth. On his 
mother’s side he descended from Thomas C. and Rebecca (Walters) 
Whitehurst, a family of the ante-bellum aristocracy of Wilkinson 
for generations unexcelled in culture and refinement. (See White¬ 
hurst Sketch.) 

On his father’s side he sprang from a long line of worthy for¬ 
bears, who for more than a century held high place in the affections 
of the people, from the day his great-grandfather for whom Blood¬ 
worth District was named, arrived as a pioneer settler on down 
to date. (See sketch of John Pink Bloodworth.) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


451 


Though small in stature, frail of body, yet Fleming Bloodworth’s 
iron will and ambition might well be an inspiration to those more 
favorably endowed. 

His education was mainly obtained at the Gordon High School 
where he graduated in 19n. 

During his boyhood and young manhood, there was awakened 
in him the worthy ambition to enter the political arena and to take 
his place among those who were guiding the affairs of State. From 
his earliest boyhood he would often assert that he would become 
a lawyer and that he would go to the Legislature as his father had 
gone before him. 

He had no sooner graduated in High School than he began 
making plans to enter the Mercer Law Class. For two years he 
pursued his studies there, finishing in the class of 1918 with the B.L. 
degree. 

Unlike many to whose eyes the far off pastures appear greener, 
Fleming’s ambition led him to return to his native home. He had 
caught the vision of the needs of his home county, and he felt that 
his mission in life called him back to labor for its uplift. 

From his boyhood he took a most active part in the politics of 
the county and his aid was eagerly sought by candidates. Whenever 
a campaign was on he was accustomed not only to espouse the 
cause of his favorite candidates but to labor earnestly for their 
election. Especially was he strongly partisan in the political cam¬ 
paigns of his father’s friend, Judge John S. Davis. 

Appointed in 1917 to succeed Judge Davis as Solicitor of the 
County Court he held that office and also the office of County At¬ 
torney until 1925, part of which time serving as Clerk for the 
County Commissioners. 

The summer of 1924 found him at the insistence of his friends 
entering the first political contest where he himself was a candidate. 
Two other candidates were offering for the Legislature but he was 
elected. In 1926 he offered for re-election with two candidates op¬ 
posing him and again he was successful. 

At the same time his friend, Geo. H. Carswell, was running for 
Governor. At the mass meeting held at Irwinton in June, 1926, for 
the purpose of organizing Wilkinson county as a whole for Cars¬ 
well as the gubernatorial candidate, it was decided to open a Home 
Headquarters at Irwinton in addition to the Atlanta Headquarters. 


452 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Although in the midst of his own campaign, yet at the request of his 
friends he took active charge as Manager of the Home Head¬ 
quarters keeping a corps of assistants busy circularizing the State, 
raising funds, and in every way possible arousing enthusiasm for 
Wilkinson’s candidate. Though with failing health his iron will 
kept him going. 

His record in the Legislature was a most creditable one. He was 
given prominent place on Committee assignments and at all times 
was found at his post of duty until disease prevented his further at¬ 
tendance. 

He had planned to offer for the State Senate upon the expiration 
of his second term in the Legislature and would doubtless have 
been elected. 

After the declaration of war in 1917, the attorneys were asked 
to aid in filling out the questionaires of all men within the draft 
age. Fleming Bloodworth responded to the call and day after day 
from morning until night he gave his services in this work, and 
without charge. 

Later as those who were drafted were sent to the camps he did all 
in his power to cheer them, provided entertainment, etc. And while 
in camp and on European fields, the men from Wilkinson were 
often reminded by the letters from him that the folks back home 
had not forgotten them. Likewise, when the war was ended, it was 
truthfully said of him that many a Wilkinson County man got 
his discharge and returned home earlier by his intercession through 
the Congressmen and Senators. To the day of his death among his 
staunchest friends he numbered these World War veterans in whose 
behalf he had so ardently exerted himself. 

When the call was sounded to America to unite behind the Red 
Cross, Fleming Bloodworth was chosen Chairman for Wilkinson 
County. No better selection could have been made. Day and night 
he unselfishly gave his time and attention to this duty and so well 
did he succeed that few counties excelled Wilkinson in the amount 
of funds paid in. 

In 1919, he with his friend, Lamar Tigner, purchased the Irwin- 
ton Bulletin and as associate editor he contributed editorials and 
articles as long as he was physically able. The association and friend¬ 
ship with his friend “Tig” as he called his partner was most ex¬ 
traordinary. For years they roomed together, and when Fleming 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


453 


bought his home in Irwinton, it was to call on Tigner to share it 
with him. Their intimate association in business and in the home 
only the more closely cemented their friendship. 

In the operation of this paper his attention was called to the 
advertising possibilities of small weekly newspapers and he de¬ 
veloped a syndicated plan of advertising which he copyrighted and 
sold, a plan which is now adopted and used throughout the United 
States. 

No one in the county realized the mining possibilities of Wilkin¬ 
son more than he or did more to interest outsiders in the clay re¬ 
sources. He had posters in prominent places telling of the great 
wealth lying underfoot in this county and he advertised these de¬ 
posits in every state in the Union without any compensation. 

In 1922 he saw the need of a Federal Farm Loan Association 
for the County and although the advent of this plan of financing 
meant a loss to his loan business yet he urged the farmers to take 
advantage of this opportunity to borrow funds at cheaper rates than 
he could offer. Mainly through his activities the organization was 
perfected. 

Of all his many diverse activities perhaps none equalled the in¬ 
terest he had in his corporation, the Fleming Bloodworth Loan Co. 
He started this business in 1918 with a small beginning but the care 
and attention he gave the enterprise it grew by leaps and bounds 
until he was obliged to associate E. R. Pierce with him. In this 
business of investing the money of others on real estate loans he 
had the utmost confidence of his clients, many of whom were 
widows with meager funds to lend and the loss by a bad invest¬ 
ment, would have meant ruin. The care he used in placing these 
funds won for him the deserved praise of all his clients. In one case 
rather than let one of these clients suffer a loss by the failure of a 
borrower whom he had recommended he assumed the obligations. 
And when no longer he was able to look after this business, and it 
was apparent that he would be compelled to go away for treatment, 
one of his greatest regrets was he would have to relinquish the duty 
of seeing that his clients received back the funds he had invested 
for them. 

It can be truthfully said of Fleming Bloodworth that no friend 
of his fell sick that he did not visit and speak words of encourage¬ 
ment, carry small gifts of fruit, or other things that would be pleas- 


454 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ing. None went away to hospitals for treatment that he did not 
visit or write or send magazines and books. Many a sick room was 
made brighter, many a life cheered by the fact he had lived. And 
thus it was with him even after he himself was stricken. While mak¬ 
ing his plans to leave his business in the hands of others, and in a 
few weeks go to Asheville for treatment although this would be a 
drain upon his resources, considerably diminished by his inability 
to practice his profession, as it required, yet no one asked him for 
aid in vain. The writer knows personally of an instance where a 
distant relative of Fleming’s was suffering from the same malady 
as he himself was and for lack of funds could not go away for 
treatment. Searching him out Fleming placed him on the train, and 
provided out of his own funds what was necessary. Innumerable 
instances of similar acts of helping those who needed help could 
be mentioned. 

One of the dreams of Fleming Bloodworth’s was to see a good 
highway connecting Irwinton, Gordon and Macon. A dream he 
never lived to see completed. For years he had been agitating the 
building of this road, but, lack of funds prevented. Largely through 
his efforts it was made a part of the State Highway System and in 
1926 it became known that State and Federal funds had been pro¬ 
vided for the co-operation with the county in the building of the 
road. At the time he was serving as Clerk of the Board of County 
Commissioners and County Attorney and the duty of getting a 
right of way for the proposed road devolved upon him. Although 
realizing that his disease was closing down its hold upon him, in¬ 
stead of going to the mountains to combat it, as he was urged to do 
by his friends, he unselfishly devoted himself to the great task of 
getting the large number of landowners wherever they would, to 
give the right of way, and the others to sell to the county as reas¬ 
onable as possible, a task that meant much effort and which doubt¬ 
less did much to hasten the end. Could he have lived only a short 
time longer he would have known that so far as Wilkinson County 
was concerned, the road would be completed and his dream 
realized. 

He became a member of the Gordon Methodist Church in his 
early manhood later moving his membership to Irwinton upon his 
removal here. As a steward of the Irwinton Methodist Church 
contributed freely to the needs of the cause, took an active interest 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


455 


in advancing every uplifting movement, and at all times could 
be counted on to do anything asked him by his pastor. 

He joined the Irwinton Masonic Lodge during the latter part 
of 1919 and the early part of 1920. The beauties of the Masonic; 
order so appealed to him that he proceeded through the Scottish 
Rite and in June of 1920 took the Shrine degree in the A 1 Sihah 
Temple at Macon. 

In his family life never was there a deeper love than that which 
existed between him and his father and brothers, Julian F. and 
Edwin. Seldom a week passed after he moved to Irwinton but that 
he made several visits home to be with them, and it was a rule 
for him to spend every Sunday with them. 

During the summer of 1928 he was gradually growing weaker 
until the early part of August when the end came. His funeral and 
interment, with Masonic honors by the Irwinton and Gordon 
Lodges, was held at Snow Hill cemetery, where his ancestors for 
the past century have been sleeping. 

BOONE FAMILY 

According to records of the “Boone Family Association” of 
Washington, D. C., William Boone Douglas, President. 

The Boones are of Viking descent, from Northern Europe. They 
settled in Normandy, France, when the Northmen conquered and 
gave their name to that territory. They crossed the Channel to 
England with William The Conqueror in 1066. The name at that 
time being “Bohun.” One Bohun being an officer under the Great 
Conqueror. The Crest of the family in England went in name of 
“Bohun-Boone Crest,” and was in form of a lion couchant, sur¬ 
mounted by a human hand grasping three arrows. Evidence per¬ 
haps of their side in the Wars of the Trinity. One Mary Boone or 
Bohun became the wife of King Henry the Fourth. First of name 
to emigrate to America being a Doctor Lawrence Boone in 1620. 
Later arrivals settled in Pennsylvania with William Penn and 
thence emigrated to every new region of North America. Some of 
the name being pioneers in nearly every state of the Union. George¬ 
town, D. C., named after George Boone who once owned the land 
where the city now stands. Religion: Mainly Quakers and Presby¬ 
terians. During the silent and dreadful march of many a fecund 


456 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


century, even for all of a thousand recorded years, men of the 
Boone name and blood have been up and doing, in high endeavor, 
in every clime of all the world. 

In Wilkinson County, Georgia 

Tradition is that some of the name emigrated from North Caro¬ 
lina and settled in Washington county, Georgia, about 1800 and 
thence into Wilkinson county about 1802. 

Jacob Boone settled near what is now Toomsboro, Ga., about 
1802. 

Sallie Franklin, wife of Jacob Boone, daughter of George 
Franklin, a Baptist Preacher. George Franklin was son of Wil¬ 
liam Franklin, a Baptist preacher. 

Sallie Mercer, wife of William Franklin was a sister of Silas 
and Jesse Mercer. Jesse Mercer was founder of Mercer University. 

Children of Jacob Boone and Sallie Franklin: Daniel Mercer, 
Joseph Marvin, Ratleth, Edwin R., James, Freeman, John Mitch¬ 
ell, William, Henry, Robert, and Sallie, and two other sons, names 
unknown. 

Of the above named children only the descendants of Daniel 
Mercer Boone and John Mitchell Boone now live in Wilkinson 
county. All of the other children of Jacob Boone and Sallie Frank¬ 
lin emigrated to other states, viz: William and Daniel Mercer to 
Louisiana, and others to Texas, Florida, Oregon and other places 
unknown. 

John Mitchell Boone, son of Jacob Boone and Sallie Franklin. 
Died at Toomsboro, Ga., about 1890. 

Lucretia Lord, wife of John Mitchell Boone, daughter of John 
Lord and Nancy Minton. 

Children of John Mitchell Boone and Lucretia Lord: Thomas 
E., James, Frank. 

Frank Boone, supra. Tax Collector Wilkinson county about 
1880. Died at Indian Springs, Ga., about 1895. 

James Boone, supra. Died at Chauncey, Ga., about 1900. 

Thomas E. Boone, supra. Died at Toomsboro, Ga., 1929. 

Katie Granade, wife of Thomas E. Boone, sister of Adam 
Granade. 

Children of Thomas E. Boone and Katie Granade: James, Sal¬ 
lie, Ella. 

Sallie Boone, supra. Wife of H. A. Watts. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


457 


Children of H. A. Watts and Sallie Boone: Horace, Ellis, Em¬ 
mett and Elna May. 

Maudelle Sanders, wife of Ellis Watts, supra. 

Elna May Watts, supra, wife of J. B. Burke. 

Daniel Mercer Boone, son of Jacob Boone and Sallie Franklin, 
grandson of William Franklin and Sallie Mercer. Emigrated to 
Louisiana about 1850. 

Amelia Lord, wife of Daniel Mercer Boone, daughter of John 
Lord and Nancy Minton. Born 1813, died 1883. 

John Lord, son of William Lord, father of Amelia Lord, supra. 
Born 1781. 

Nancy Minton, supra. Wife of John Lord, born 1783. 

Children of Daniel Mercer Boone and Amelia Lord, supra.: 
Joshua Minton, John David, Moses West, Jacob, Henry. Jacob 
and Henry died in youth. John David died 1892. No descendants. 
Moses West Boone, supra. Died 1905 at Toomsboro. 

Amanda Hooks, wife of Moses West Boone, daughter of John 
Hooks and Almety Etheridge. 

Children of Moses West Boone and Amanda Hooks: Emma, 
Lula, Ethel, Pearl, Ben L. 

Emma Boone, supra. Wife of John W. Smith. Lula, supra. Died 

1905. 

Ethel Boone, supra, wife of W. Wall. 

Pearl Boone, supra. Wife of Henry C. Parker. 

Henry Dell Parker, daughter of Pearl Boone and Henry C. 
Parker. 

Ben L. Boone, supra. Son of Moses West Boone and Amanda 
Hooks. 

Lydia Bloodworth, wife of Ben L. Boone, daughter of Timothy 
Bloodworth and Emma Collins. Bloodworth District No. 328 G. 
M. named in honor of foreparents of Lydia Bloodworth. 

Children of Ben L. Boone and Lydia Bloodworth: Louise, Ben 
L., Jr., Henry, Edward, Robert, Mitchell, Ray Minton, Rdchard. 

Joshua Minton Boone, son of Danial Mercer Boone and Amelia 
Lord. Grandson of Jacob Boone and Sallie Franklin. Gr. Gr. of 
George Franklin, Baptist preacher. Gr. Gr. Gr. of William Frank¬ 
lin and Sallie Mercer. Born Oct. 23rd, 1843. Died Oct. 19th, 
1908. Confederate veteran. School teacher. Graduate Business 
College of Baltimore, Md. Farmer. Merchant. Justice of Peace 


458 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


330th District (Lord’s). Mason. Minister of Christian church, 
held pastorates at Toomsboro and Butler school house in Wilkin¬ 
son county. Held many places of trust but of little profit. Died 
proud of the fact that he had never tried to amass wealth and that 
he had paid every debt owed 100 cents in the dollar. Student all of 
his days. 

Lord’s District, No. 330 G. M., Wilkinson county, named in 
honor of maternal gr. gr. grandfather of Joshua Minton Boone, 
viz: William Lord. 

Sarah Elizabeth Ivey, widow of J. M. Davis of Savannah, Ga., 
wife of Joshua Minton Boone, daughter of James Ivey and Mary 
Barbee of Baldwin County, Ga. Ivey R. R. Station and Ivey 1505 
G. M. District, Wilkinson county, so named in honor of Ivey 
family. Born 1848, married J. M. Davis, 1864. Married Joshua 
Minton Boone Oct. 23rd, 1873. Died Feb. 10th, 1887. Beloved. 

Mary Barbee, supra. Family from North Carolina. 

James Ivey, supra, husband of Mary Barbee, died 1869, of 
Welsh descent. 

Anna Chambers, 2nd wife of Joshua Minton Boone, daughter 
of William I. Chambers of Irwinton, Ga. 

Children born to Joshua Minton Boone and Sarah Elizabeth 
Ivey Davis Boone: Mamie Elizabeth, Edwin Mortimer, Gertrude, 
Alexander Stephens, Addie May, James Ivey. 

Mamie Elizabeth Boone, supra. Born 1875, died 1887. 

James Ivey Boone, supra. Died 1887. 

Gertrude Boone, supra. Wife of Gerald Mercer. 

Addie May Boone supra, born at Toomsboro, Ga., 1886. Mar¬ 
ried 1922 to Thomas M. McIntosh of Weston, Miss. Member 
Christian Church. 

Edwin Mortimer Boone, supra. Born Feb. 26th, 1877, at 
Toomsboro, Ga. Attended Elementary and Grammar Schools. At¬ 
tended Georgia Military College at Milledgeville, Ga. Member 
Town Council. Mayor Toomsboro. Merchant. Farmer. Mason. 
Member Christian Church. 

Daisy Thomas, wife of Edwin Mortimer Boone, daughter of 
Ella Caston and W. F. Thomas. Born in Jackson, Butts Countv, 
Ga. 

Children of Edwin Mortimer Boone and Daisy Thomas: 
Thomas, Sarah Elizabeth, Mary. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


459 


Alexander Stephens Boone, supra. Born near Toomsboro, Oct. 
3rd, 1882. Worked on farm until 20th year. Had but few months 
schooling. Clerk in store and Express Agent for seven years. Ap¬ 
pointed Special Agent for Census Dept, of Washington, D. C., in 
1907. Member Town Council of Toomsboro 8 years. Appointed 
Post Master at Toomsboro on Nov. 20th, 19I4. Re-appointed Post 
Master by President Woodrow Wilson on Feb. 4th, 1920. Nomi¬ 
nated for Clerk Superior Court, Feb. 4th, 1920. Nominated for 
Clerk Superior Court and re-appointed Postmaster on same date. 
Re-elected Clerk, 1924, Re-elected Clerk, 1928. Stood State Bar 
Examination June 27th, 1923. Admitted to Bar Ocmulgee Circuit 
on birthday, Oct. 3rd, 1923. Secretary Wilkinson County Bar As¬ 
sociation since 1925. Mason, for three years Worshipful Master 
Toomsboro Lodge No. 290 F. & A. M. Worshipful Master Wil¬ 
kinson County Masonic Association 1929-30. Consul Commander 
Sweet Gum Camp No. 281 Toomsboro, Ga., Consul Commander 
Elm Camp No. 510. W. O. W. McIntyre, Ga. Member Christian 
Church. Married Dec. 26th, 1906 to Opal Marie Meadows of 
Toomsboro, formerly of Siloam, Green County, Georgia. 

Amongst his treasures are letters of commendation from High 
Government Officials in Washington, D. C., commending him in 
highest terms for efficient service in carrying out the War Program, 
in his vicinity, during the World War. Under his leadership it is 
believed that Toomsboro, Ga., led every town of its population and 
wealth in the U. S. A., in the celerity shown in getting it and in the 
amount of money furnished the Government during the World 
War. 

Opal Marie Meadows Boone, supra, born in Greene County, 
Ga., Aug. 18th, 1889. Daughter of John E. Meadows and Mary 
Moore of Offerman, Ga., formerly of Greene and Taliaferro 
Counties. Both parents of Scotch-Irish descent. Served as Assistant 
Post Master at Toomsboro, Ga., from 1914 to 1920. Deputy Clerk 
Superior Court Wilkinson county twelve years. Member Christian 
Church. 

Children of Alexander Stephens Boone and Opal Marie Mead¬ 
ows: James Minton, Alexander Stephens, Jr., Joseph Wilson, and 
Edwin Mercer. 

James Minton Boone, supra. Born Toomsboro, Ga., Sept. 24th, 
1907. Attended Elementary and High School at Toomsboro, Wil- 


460 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


kinson County High School at Irwinton. Clerk in Store in Tooms- 
boro and in Irwinton. Clerk in Post Office at Toomsboro. Clerk in 
office Clerk Superior Court. Clerk Board Tax Assessors Wilkinson 
County, 1929-30. Graduate Young Harris College, class 1929-30. 
Secretary Student Body Government. Member Phi Chi Society. 

Alexander Stephens Boone, Jr., supra. Born at Toomsboro, Jan. 
23rd, 1910. Attended elementary school at Toomsboro and Wil¬ 
kinson County High School at Irwinton. Served as Page State Sen¬ 
ate 1922. Clerk in Office Clerk Superior Court. Worked in office 
County Commissioners, Wilkinson County. Served as assistant to 
Clerk House of Representatives, 1929 session. Attended Young 
Harris Academy 1925. Freshman University of Ga., 1926-7. Grad¬ 
uate Young Harris College Class 1928-9. Honor student. Inter¬ 
collegiate Debater. Member Phi Chi Society. Successfully stood 
State Bar Examination at Madison, Ga., on Dec. nth, 1929. Ad¬ 
mitted to Bar of Ocmulgee Circuit at Irwinton, April 7th, 1930. 
License as Attorney issued by father as Clerk of Court. Member 
Christian Church. 

Joseph Wilson Boone, supra. Born at Toomsboro, Aug. 8, 1912. 
Attended Elementary Schools at Toomsboro. Graduated Wilkin¬ 
son County High School at Irwinton, Ga., Class 1929. President of 
Class and Valedictorian. Worked in Office of Clerk Superior Court. 
Worked in Office County Commissioners, Wilkinson County. 
Junior Young Harris College, Class 1929-30. Member Phi Chi 
Society. 

Edwin Mercer Boone, supra. Born Toomsboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 
1915. Attended Elementary and High School at Irwinton, Ga. 

Part of Chronology of Boone Family from authentic records ex¬ 
tant and part leans on long repeated tradition. 

(Prepared by member of Boone Family.) 

THE JAMES C. BOWER AND RELATED FAMILIES 

The ancestor of the James C. Bower (Bauer) family immigrated 
from Holland to Rhode Island. The father of Isaac Bower was a 
sculptor of Providence. Isaac was born in 1783 and came to Sa¬ 
vannah about 1800 as a cabin boy on a sailing vessel, and then on up 
to Augusta. For a while he remained in Burke County where he 
married Frances C. White, born in S. C., 1788, and died in Arkan- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


461 


sas, 1842. (William Steele, her grandfather, was a trader, carrying 
trains of pack horses from Charleston laden with merchandise to 
the Indian nation, trading from one Indian village to another and 
frequently being gone eight months on such journeys, and returning 
with his horses loaded with skins and furs.) 

Isaac and Frances settled at Milledgeville where he maintained a 
large mercantile establishment, with boats running up and down the 
Oconee river. Their children were: John White Bower, 1808-1850, 
went to Texas; Isaac E. Bower, 1811, m. Adaline Breedlove of 
Talbot County; Bernard Larry Bower, 1812-1843; James Cuth- 
bert Bower, 1814-1887, m. Martha Davis, 1848; Honor M. A. 
Bower, 1817; William Steele Bower, 1820, went to New Orleans; 
Elizabeth Laura A. Bowier, 1822, m. Isaac Hand of Newton; Mis¬ 
sissippi Bower, 1825, m. Ben Lester of Savannah; Columbia Bow¬ 
er, 1828, m. Columbus Hand of Sumter County. 

Business reverses occurring in the financial depression about 
1820, Isaac disposed of his mercantile business and moved, first to 
Jones County, then to Arkansas with his family. 

His son, James C., became postmaster at Big Creek, Phillip Coun¬ 
ty, Arkansas, in 1838, later returning to Muscogee County, Geor¬ 
gia, where he read law in his brother Eben’s office and was ad¬ 
mitted to the bar in 1839. He located at Cuthbert and practiced law 
there for several years, moving to Irwinton in 1847. The next year 
he was made Justice of the Inferior Court. In 1858 he succeeded 
Samuel Beall as Ordinary though continuing his law practice. 

The following tribute is found in his obituary: 

“In his profession he labored assiduously. No client ever intrusted 
his cause to more faithful hands. He carried into all his cases pro¬ 
found study, original conception, and withal such indomitable per¬ 
severance and industry that success more frequently than not 
crowned his efforts. His was a busy, useful life.” 

In his family Bible where the birth of his daughter, Aurora, is 
recorded there is written in his hand a poem to his infant “Aurora,” 
never published, but one whose poetic beauty and imagery pro¬ 
nounces its writer a poet of no mean ability. 

Judge Bower was opposed to Secession but once in the war he 
was as patriotic as any. Few suffered any worse from the ravages of 
Sherman’s Army than did he. The history of the three days of terror 
as experienced by her father and mother during Sherman’s visit 


462 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


here is vividly depicted by Mrs. W. C. Matthews in her history of 
this occasion. Immediately after the advance guard arrived an officer 
stopped at the door and advised them to conceal all their property. 
Everything possible was brought into the house and next day a 
guard was posted by the Yankees. 

Soon, however, the looting began. Corn cribs, potato hills, smoke¬ 
houses, and chicken houses were broken open and their contents 
taken away. At the Bower plantation near Irwinton they knocked 
the top off Bower’s carriage and, loading it full of sheep, 
hitched two oxen to it and drove into town, pausing long enough to 
shout to the Judge “Here is your fine carriage, Old Reb.” While 
the work of destruction was going on at his plantation his fine De¬ 
von Bull took fright and at the head of thirty of the Judge’s cows 
never paused in his flight until he reached the secure depths of Big 
Sandy Swamp, from which haven he and his herd did not emerge 
until all the Yankees were gone. 

On the third day the army left Irwinton but the stragglers now 
proved a serious menace. Two of them seeing Judge Bower’s over¬ 
coat, took it from him by force. He saved his fine watch by hiding it 
in a stump hole, while Mrs. Bower saved her silver by wrapping it 
up and tossing it into the palmetto hedge. 

THE DAVIS FAMILY 

Henry Davis, of North Carolina, was married to Nancy Potts 
of Kentucky in 1796. Their children were: Margaret, b. 1797, m. 
Colson; Hansford, b. 1799, m. Peggy Eady; Oren, b. in 1800. Hen¬ 
ry with his wife and children migrated to Wilkinson County as 
one of the first settlers in a “schooner” wagon, bringing with him 
two slaves, and a number of cattle and horses, the journey requiring 
more than forty days, they having to ford streams, and stop fre¬ 
quently for the animals to forage. They settled on what is known 
as the Old Davis Place now owned by Mrs. W. C. Matthews. 

According to traditions, Henry Davis was in the Seminole War 
of 1818 but becoming disabled his seventeen year old son, Oren, 
took his place. His job was to haul supplies for the army in Andrew 
Jackson’s famous Florida Campaign. He was granted lots No. 
186-187 in Cherokee County for his services. 

JOHN EADY, SR., who emigrated from Ireland, whose Revo- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


463 


lutionary service was certified by General Elijah Clarke, was one 
of the early settlers of the county, building a mill on Black Creek 
still known as “Eady’s Mill.” His son, Henry, (b. 1786-1847) was 
married in 1807 to Elizabeth Gay (b. 1790, daughter of Allen 
and Abigail (Castleberry) Gay. Henry became very wealthy, own¬ 
ing a great many slaves. Henry’s daughter, Temperance, married 
Oren Davis. 

Having traced the ancestral families, we now return to James C. 
Bower who was married in 1848 to Martha, the daughter of Oren 
and Temperance (Eady) Davis (Oren gave Martha, as bridal pres¬ 
ent, the house and lot where the granddaughter, Mrs. W. C. Mat¬ 
thews, now lives, and a negro woman and a negro baby.) Their chil¬ 
dren were: Isaac Oren, James White, Aurora Imogene, Henrietta 
Flora. 

Isaac O. married Olive Bishop, the daughter of the gallant Cap¬ 
tain George Bishop, who commanded Company I of the 57th Geor¬ 
gia Regiment. Their son, Omar B., of Hawkinsville, still owns his 
grandfather’s sword. Another son of Isaac and Olive was George 
who married Bessie Boatwright, of Lovett, Georgia. Their son, 
James C. Bower, the second, proudly and honorably bears his great 
grandfather’s name. 

Although born in Laurens County in 1905, Wilkinson is glad to 
claim James C. Bowers, the second, as her own, he having spent a 
portion of his boyhood here attending school and living with his aunt, 
Mrs. Matthews. In 1922 he enlisted in Company A, 29th Infantry 
at Fort Benning. During his term of service he was transferred to 
the Medical Department at Fort Benning. At the expiration of his 
term he re-enlisted in the Medical Department of the United States 
Military Academy, West Point, New York, where he is serving as 
Record Clerk and Statistician. Those who know him best predict 
a brilliant career. 

James Byrom Bower, the son of James W., enlisted June 15, 
1917, shortly after the entrance of America into the World War, 
in the 17th Engineers, (Ry) and served with honor throughout the 
war, as Regimental Photographer, his foreign service dating from 
August 12, 1917, to March 11, 1919. He was one of the first to go 
across, and one of the last to return. He married Mary Julia Jor¬ 
dan. Two daughters of James W. are: Bernice, m. V. P. Stevens, 


464 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


resides at Poulan, Georgia, they have one son, Bower; lone, nu 
John Merritt, and has one girl, Ann Eleanor. 

Aurora was one of the most accomplished young women Irwin- 
ton has ever produced. Many remember her as a belle of Wilkinson. 
And with it all she was lovable, charming and possessessed every 
trait of character essential to a noble womanhood. She inherited all 
that was best from her forbears,—nobility of mind, and purity of 
heart. In August, 1880, she was married to Charles Hodges, (his 
grandfather, Chas. Rice, was Secretary of State, at Milledgeville),. 
editor of the Southerner and Appeal. He sold his newspaper interest 
and went to Washington, D. C., having accepted a government 
position in the Postoffice Department where he labored thirty years, 
then was pensioned by the government. Their children: Celestine, 
Washington, D. C.; Bower, Washington, D. C.; Aurora Spransy, 
Milwaukee, Wis.; Chas. R., Pittsburg, Penn. 

Henrietta Flora Bower, who first married W. H. Avant of 
Oconee, Ga., where she lived for a number of years, now the wife 
of W. C. Matthews, a most estimable gentleman, is at present the 
only representative of these prominent families living in Irwinton. 
Justly proud of her ancestors, she has painstakingly prepared a 
family history running back for centuries, and it is from her records 
the greater portion of the foregoing sketch is compiled, many of the 
most interesting incidents, for lack of space, being omitted. In addi¬ 
tion to her historical writings which contain other interesting mat¬ 
ters relating to Georgia history. Mrs. Matthews has inherited her 
father’s artistic temperament, her paintings indicating an artist of 
merit. 


CASWELL BRANAN 

Of the sturdy pioneers of Wilkinson whose strength of body was 
only exceeded by their strength of character may well be mentioned 
Caswell Branan (1807-1897). Born in Morgan County, Georgia, 
August 10, 1807, the son of James and Sarah Tommy Branan, both 
natives of Virginia, and grandson of Kenyon Branan, originally 
from Wales, he with his parents moved to Wilkinson in 1810. 
James and his wife are buried in the family cemetery in Ivey Dis¬ 
trict once known as the Fairchild, now the Lord Cemetery. 

He seems to have been a successful planter of his day and to have 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


465 


amassed considerable wealth on his plantation where the home of C. 
E. Gladin now stands. In 1854 the tax digest indicates his wealth to 
be considerable. In addition to his slaves and land he owned a very 
valuable cotton ginnery which was destroyed by Sherman’s army, 
while he was serving his country by looking after and providing for 
women and their families, whose husbands were serving in the 
army. He was too old to enlist in the army, but furnished four sons, 
who bravely defended the noble cause. 

After the war, with his slaves freed and his property swept away, 
undismayed he went to work and rebuilt much of his shattered for¬ 
tunes. Prized for more than his material wealth by his descendants, 
is that reputation for honor, uprightness and high regard for duty, 
which he bore. He lived an honest, temperate, Christian life, always 
observing the Golden Rule. He never used vulgarity, profanity, nor 
spoke ill of others. Unusual, in his day he never used tobacco and he 
was one of the original advocates of prohibition in Wilkinson, all 
his life being a total abstainer. 

He was married June 14, 1832, to Gracie Barnett Herndon. 
Their children were: 

Sarah Jane (b. 1833, m. William Montgomery of Taylor Co.). 

James Franklin (1835-1897, m. Emily Gardner about i860, 
their children were: Ellen, Iverson, Alonza, Pleona, Wallie, Alvah 
and Horace). 

George Iverson (1837-1897, m. Nancy Anne Balkcom of Twiggs 
County. Their children were: William I., b. Nov. 23, 1864; Ophe¬ 
lia L., b. Dec. 12, 1866; Virgil C., Aug. 14, 1868-Sept. 7, 1891; 
Paris G., b. June 4, 1870; James C., b. May 28, 1873; Vannie E., 
April 16, 1875-Jan. 27, 1891 ; Cicero F., b. March 30, 1877; Ma¬ 
bel C., b. April 19, 1879; Lora M., b. Aug. 5, 1881; Daisy E., b. 
Nov. 13, 1883; Iverson served faithfully throughout the War Be¬ 
tween the States in Company K, 57th Georgia Regiment.) 

Melissa Magdalene (1839-1893, m. Captain J. A. Mason. Their 
children were: Fernando, Ada, Joseph, Pauline, Caswell, Sallie, 
Amanda, William and Augusta). 

Amanda (m. Cleopas Ivey, their children were: Wilkie, Nannie, 
Caswell, Mary and John). 

Jasper Newton (b. 1843 and served in the War Between the 
States, contracted disease and died in service). 


466 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


John Harris (b. 1845, served in the War Between the States and 
was killed in battle). 

Grade (b. March 12, 1847-Jan. 12, 1912, m. James T. Lingo, 
they had no children). 

Robert (m. Katie Cooper of Baldwin County, their children 
were: Claude, Beulah, Bonnie and Robert, Jr). 

His wife, who preceded him to the grave twenty-six years, died 
of a stroke of paralysis, Feb. 9, 1871. After this he lived a quiet 
home life, faithful to the memory of her, by remaining a widower 
the rest of his life. 

He had house-keepers who cared for his home and welfare, and 
treated him with the utmost respect, always addressing him as “Un¬ 
cle Caswell.” 

His daughter, Mrs. Gracie Lingo, and her husband, moved into 
his house with him a few years before his death, and administered to 
his needs the rest of his life. 

He always enjoyed the best of health, owing to his temperate and 
regular habits. He was never sick enough to be in bed or have a phy¬ 
sician until five weeks prior to his death, he had a partial stroke of 
paralysis, from which he never recovered. He died March the 15th, 
1897, and his remains were interred in the family cemetery near his 
home. 

(Sketch prepared by Mrs. C. E. Gladin.) 

MRS. FANNIE BURNEY BROADFIELD 

Mrs. Fannie (Burney) Broadfield was born Nov. 14, 1863, in 
Wilkinson County at “Elmvale,” the beautiful country home near 
Jeffersonville, the daughter of John Franklin and Jane E. (Stanley) 
Burney. In 1871 her parents moved to Macon in order that their 
children might have the benefit of good schools. After finishing 
the graded schools and two years of high school, she completed her 
education at Wesleyan then “Wesleyan Female College” in the 
class of 1881. She was married in 1886 to Walter B. Broadfield 
of Dennis, Putnam County, Ga. Their children were: Lila Dean, 
(m. Dr. J. H. Duggan, of Wilkinson Co., Ga., May, 1917) ; Janie 
Burney, (m. N. D. Horton, of Davisboro, Ga., Oct., 1927). Mrs. 
Broadfield is a most excellent business woman, possessing executive 
ability to an extraordinary degree. During her husband’s lifetime 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


467 


she was an able help-meet and since his death she has successfully 
managed her large farm and other property. 

Mrs. Broadfield is descended from one of the antebellum aristo¬ 
cratic families of the county. The history of the Burney family has 
been traced back for centuries and in every generation there are 
outstanding members. The first of this family to settle in Wilkinson 
was Arthur Burney, (b. Oct. 3, 1773, d. May 10, 1842), the great¬ 
grandfather of Mrs. Broadfield, and is frequently mentioned in the 
public affairs of the county. He married Sarah Catherine Blount, 
(b. 1775, daughter of Edmond Blount, of Burke Co.) in 1799, 
and his children as shown by his will which is in the possession of 
Mrs. J. H. Duggan were: Gatsy, (b. Oct. 20, 1799, m. 1st Joseph 
Brown, 2nd Frederick; Greene Blount, (b. Apr. 7, 1800, m. 1822, 
died in Twiggs Co.); Eleanor (Nelly), (b. Aug. 21, 1802, m. 
John Cason of Leon Co., Fla., d. Sept. 6, 1840) ; Nancy, (b. June 
30, 1811, m. Israel Beard, Esq.) ; Mary, (b. Apr. 7, 1807, m. Ben¬ 
jamin Byrd, Esq., d. 1848) ; Penelope, (b. Jan. 30, 1808, m. James 
Lawrence Hart of Leon Co., Fla., the son of Edward Hart) ; Wil¬ 
liam, (b. June 6, 1809, m. Martha Slater); Susan, (b. Apr. 17, 
1814, m. John Sandford Hart, Leon Co., Fla., son of Edward Hart 
of Twiggs Co., Ga.,) ; David, (b. June 6, 1816, d. June 14, 1849, 
unmarried); Arthur (b. Feb. 24, 1820). 

Green Blount Burney, the grandfather of our subject was for 
many years considered one of Wilkinson County’s ablest men and 
took a deep interest in all the public affairs of the county. He first 
comes into prominence in the Indian War of 1836, when, as Cap¬ 
tain of the Wilkinson Greys, a Company of mounted infantry, he 
distinguished himself. 

When Talmage Institute was incorporated by action of the Leg¬ 
islature, Green Blount Burney was made one of the original trus¬ 
tees and is said to have given the land upon which the Institute was 
built. 

He was married in 1822 to Sarah, (b. Jan. 10, 1802, d. 1870), 
the daughter of Anson Ball and his wife, Phebie (Jenkins) Ball, 

(granddaughter of Senator John Ball and wife-Robinson) 

and their children were: John Frank, (b. June 22, 1823, m. 1st 
Jan. 17, 1849, Margaret Elizabeth Stanley (b. Oct. 15, 1828, d. 
Aug. 16, 1855). Their children were: Julius A., (b. Oct. 16, 
1850, m. July 8, 1873, d. Aug. 16, 1914, m. 1st Ella Jordan, 2nd 



468 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Sarah Mariah Ware, (b. Aug. 3, 1851, m. July 8, 1873, d. Apr. 
16, 1896; his second marriage was to Jane E. Stanley, (b. Aug. 8, 
1840, m. Sept. 1, 1858, d. Oct. 15, 1915), their children were: 
Rowell Adolphus (b. Sept. 16, 1859, m. Dec. 6, 1883, d. Feb. 14, 
1896), Arthur Eugene Burney (b. June 30, 1862, d. Oct. 30, 
1914), Fannie Janette, b. Nov. 14, 1863, m. Feb. 25, 1886), Robert 
Emmet (b. Nov. 3, 1866, m. Sept. 17, 1891, d. Mar. 14, 1906) ; 
Milton A. Burney, (b. Aug. 18, 1824, m. 1st Mary Ann Smith, 
who died 1857, married second Narcissus Elizabeth Fulton, d. 
June, 1908; Malinda Emily, (b. Aug. 20, 1825, married Mackin- 
tyre E. Boatwright; Gilford E., m. Madge Hughes. 

Green Blount Burney lived for many years prior to the war 
on his plantation. Among his possessions was the old water mill 
just above Long Bridge which is still known as Burney’s Mill. He 
died in 1866, and is buried in the old family cemetery near the 
county line, west of Ball’s Church. 

It is handed down that Sarah Ball was one of the flower girls 
at the Lafayette reception in 1825, at Milledgeville. 

Arthur Eugene, the son of John F. and Jane Stanley Burney 
was born June 30, 1862. He served as Clerk of the Superior Court 
for several years. Possessing a magnetic personality, an inherent 
spirit of friendliness,, and an unquestioned loyalty, he attracted to 
himself a wide circle of friends. He was of that unusual type of 
politician whose manifestations of friendship sprang not from a 
fawning desire to curry favor but carried the weight of sincerity. 
He died October 30, 1914, and is buried in the Masonic Cemetery 
at Irwinton by the side of his mother. 

J. W. BROOKS, SR. 

James Wesley Brooks, Sr., son of John Brooks and Martha 
(Mercer) Brooks, was born Dec. 3, 1849, in Wilkinson County. 
Mr. Brooks first attended the Johnson School. In 1858 his father 
moved to Murphy, Ala., but foreseeing the war, returned to Wil¬ 
kinson. His next school was Bethel. 

When Sherman’s Army arrived, Mr. Brooks and his brother, 
John Pink, had been sent to Durham’s Mill, each riding a swift 
horse. Suddenly almost upon them they saw a large body of blue- 
clad horsemen coming at a gallop. As they turned their horses about, 
the leader of the Yankees commanded, “Halt! Halt!” “Lie down 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


469 


on your horse and lay the whip!” Mr. Brooks cried to his brother, 
doing the same, each expecting a volley of bullets to be fired at 
them. For some reason the pursuers did not fire, evidently bent on 
capturing the boys’ horses. Though hotly pressed they gained on 
the enemy. Passing the home of Henry Wood, Mr. Brooks called 
to the family to tell the Yankees they had gone another direction 
(later he learned they did). Fearing to ride home lest the enemy 
would overtake them, after two miles at a dead run, the boys turned 
and made for “Beachtree Hammock” in Big Sandy Swamp, which 
they could reach by crossing a marsh, and where they knew no Yan¬ 
kee would ever find them, All the afternoon they waited here. Near 
night leaving their horses securely tied they walked to the edge of 
the swamp where Mr. Brooks climbed a tall tree to reconnoitre. No 
Yankees visible, the boys ventured home. 

Mr. Brooks was first married to Miss Narcissa Caroline San¬ 
ders. Their children: Luella, m. Ira B. Stinson; Emma, m. Charles 
H. Sapp; Lizzie (deceased) m. Homer Lindsey; Frances, m. Wal¬ 
ter McWilliams; Lydia, m. Erasmus H. Lewis; Carrie, m. C. A. 
Smith; William Wesley, m. Gussie Simpson. His second marriage 
was to Mrs. Delonie Farmer Lord. 

Mr. Brooks as a Democrat has always taken a prominent part in 
politics. In 1896 he was elected Tax Receiver; has served several 
years as Alderman of Gordon, one unexpired term as Mayor and 
also Trustee of the Gordon School; is a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church and a Mason. In the business world Mr. Brooks 
has proved a success. He has amassed a competence for his declining 
years, owns considerable property and successfully operates his mer¬ 
cantile business in Gordon. His business acumen together with his 
sterling character has won for him the confidence of his fellow 
men. 


J. W. BROOKS, JR. 

James Wesley Brooks, Jr., son of John Pink Brooks and Sara 
Frances (Ward) Brooks, was born August 21, 1883, near Gordon. 
His great-grand father, Philip Brooks, was one of the pioneer set¬ 
tlers of the county, coming here from South Carolina, his wife’s 
maiden name being Elizabeth Ingram. Their son, John, the grand¬ 
father of the subject of this sketch, was born 1830 and married 


470 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Martha Mercer who was born in 1833, the daughter of Hyman 
and Nicy (Brewer) Mercer. In October 1861, when the Companies 
of the 57th Georgia Regiment were being organized, John Brooks 
enlisted in the Barkaloo Guards, Co. D, and was promptly elected 
2nd Corporal. Shortly thereafter he was chosen Color Sergeant 
of the Regiment. His regiment being ordered to Kentucky, he bore 
these colors in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky. Later the 57th 
being ordered to join Pemberton’s army in Mississippi, he arrived 
in time to take part in the bloody battle of Baker’s Creek. In the 
crisis of this battle, when Pemberton’s line was breaking, orders 
came for the 57th which had been kept in reserve, to advance and 
close the gaps through which the Federals were pouring. As the 
regiment moved forward in charge formation it was subjected to 
a heavy barrage of shot and shell, and as the Colors appeared the 
fire was concentrated on them. Man after man carrying the flag 
was shot down until the entire color guard with the exception of 
Brooks had been killed. As the last man fell and the flag was falling 
he leaped forward, seized the staff and through the thickest of the 
fight bore it onward until he too fell mortally wounded. 

Mr. Brooks obtained his education in the public schools of Wil¬ 
kinson ; is a member of the Gordon Baptist Church; a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. He was married February 5, 1905, to Miss 
Clifford Gertrude Lewis, the daughter of William Green and 
Clifford Caledonia (Hughes) Lewis. (See Lewis Family sketch). 
On her father’s side, Mrs. Brooks comes of a line of notable an¬ 
cestry. On her mother’s side she is descended from the prominent 
Hughes family, from which so many able men and women have 
sprung. 

It is quite a coincidence that Jonathan Brooks, the Virginia 
Revolutionary patriot, believed by some to be Mr. Brooks great- 
great-grandfather, was married to .Miss Annie Lewis, who had 
emigrated from Wales. Especially so in view of the fact that the 
Lewis family of which Mrs. Brooks is a member claims to be of 
Welch descent. (See History of Ga. Baptists, p. 62). 

Mrs. Brooks is recognized as one of the prominent women of 
the county, has served as President of the Wilkinson County Chap¬ 
ter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; is a member of the 
Gordon Baptist Church, President of the B. W. M. U. and also 
President of the Gordon Woman’s Club. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


471 


For the past twenty years Mr. Brooks has played a prominent 
part in the public life of Wilkinson County, is, perhaps as widely 
known as any other man in the county. His jovial disposition 
makes friends easily. 

During the years, 1918 and 1919, he served as County Commis¬ 
sioner. For the past six years he has served as Superintendent of 
Roads and Warden of the Wilkinson County chaingang. Although 
during this time the roads of the county have been greatly improved, 
Mr. Brooks is planning for much greater improvement in the 
months to come. The vast mileage which he has to keep in repair 
prevents as rapid a construction of permanent roads as he would 
like, but in spite of his handicaps he has been able to construct ac¬ 
cording to State and Federal specifications the greater portion of 
the Macon-Irwinton highway. In addition to this he has built an 
excellent highway from Gordon to the Baldwin County line, an¬ 
other from the Baldwin County line to Toomsboro, thence to the 
Laurens County line. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have one son, Cosby, born July 7, 1906, 
and one daughter, Miss Leila May, born December 2, 1907. The 
former, after finishing the Gordon High School in 1925 attended 
the Georgia-Alabama Business College in Macon and now holds 
a responsible position with the Macon Terminal Co. 

The latter, after graduating the same time with her brother at¬ 
tended the Georgia State College for Women at Milledgeville, re¬ 
ceiving her B. S. Degree from that institution in 1929. 

WILLIAM HENRY BRYAN 

No one ever saw William Henry Bryan without having a lasting 
impression made upon him by this noble-hearted veteran of the 
War Between the States. All who knew him loved “Daddy,” as 
he was familiarly called. 

The son of Nathan Bryan, originally from North Carolina, and 
Mary (Griggs) Bryan, our subject was born in Houston County, 
between Perry and Marshallville, Nov. 17, 1843. The family mov¬ 
ing to Green County, he received his schooling in the latter county. 
Just before the war, his father bought a farm near Andersonville 
and they moved to it. Though only eighteen years of age, he was 
among the very first to enlist, and left Macon, May 11, 1861, as 


472 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


a member of Co. G, 5th Georgia Regiment. For eight or nine 
months his Regiment was stationed at Pensacola, Fla. While there 
volunteers were called for to go to burn a Yankee provision depot. 
He was one of the number. Armed largely with chop knives and 
canteens of turpentine with which to start the fire, they crossed the 
intervening water and landing two miles below their objective they 
made a forced march and destroyed the depot without the loss of 
a man. 

In June, 1862, he was transferred to Co. D, 2nd Battalion Sharp¬ 
shooters. He served through the entire four years of the War, took 
part in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and Jonesboro, 
being wounded in the latter. He was with his command at Greens¬ 
boro, N. C., at the time of the surrender. 

After the war he was married to Mary Law, Oct. 28, 1866, and 
lived in Macon County until 1872 when he moved to his farm a 
few miles southwest of Danville in Twiggs Co. In 1906 he moved 
to Danville, Wilkinson Co. where he spent the rest of his life. 

Mr. Bryan became a member of Cool Spring Lodge No. 185 in 
1884. He was in every sense of the word a Mason. He shaped his 
life by the square, the level and the plumb. He was an active mem¬ 
ber and Steward of the Danville Methodist Church and served for 
many years as School Trustee. His was a life of service to his fel¬ 
low man—noble and well spent. 

His son, Stephen Alexander Bryan, was born in Macon County, 
Sept. 28, 1867, and was married to Lucia Usery (b. Aug. 30, 1870, 
at Irwinton) Oct. 28, 1890. He has served as Mayor of Danville, 
on the School Board, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge 
and is highly esteemed wherever known. 

MRS. MAUDE TAYLOR BUGG, 1892-1927 

A native of Pulaski County, yet adopting Wilkinson as her home, 
Mrs. Bugg’s life is inseparably entwined with this county. She gave 
the best years of her life to the service of the children of Wilkinson 
and nearby counties, to her church, to her community and to her 
beloved Eastern Star, of which she long served as Worthy Matron 
and as Grand Chapter Official. Mrs. Bugg was educated in the 
schools of Pulaski, Danville, University of Georgia, and Wesleyan, 
where she studied voice and piano. 

She taught at Cool Springs, Soperton, Montrose, Irwinton, and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


473 


Danville. As a teacher she won the praise of every community where 
she taught. No one became ill or in trouble without her ready aid 
and sympathy. Her home life with her aged father and mother, and 
her husband, G. Parks Bugg, whom she married in 1920, was beau¬ 
tiful. 

Mrs. Bugg was a member of the John Ball Chapter, D. A. R., 
she being descended from Revolutionary forebears on both her fa¬ 
ther’s and her mother’s sides. 

Her father, James A. Taylor, 1853-1928, (son of Isaac Dennard 
Taylor, m. Mary McCoy in 1841, both from Houston County) 
was an educator of note and one of the ablest ministers of the Primi¬ 
tive Baptist faith, serving numerous churches, one of which was 
Bay Springs, from its organization to 1928. 

Her grandfather Taylor was the son of James Taylor, b. 1773 
and his second wife, Rebecca (Dennard) Taylor, 1779-1868 m. in 
Wilkinson or Washington County. He received a pension for his 
service during the War Between the States. 

Her great-great-grandfather, Colonel Robert Taylor, 1736-1801, 
m. Jane Alexander, 1739-1819, in 1759 at Boston, Mass., served 
during the Revolution as Captain of the United States Artillery of 
Providence, R. I., later Colonel. Tradition says he was buried in 
Wilkinson County. 

Mrs. Bugg’s mother, Frances (Thompson) Taylor was the 
daughter of Stephen Lester Thompson, 1816-1890, and Margaret 
Elizabeth Meadows, 1826-1910, m. 1842—and the granddaughter 
of Daniel Thompson, d. 1853, and Sarah Murray, 1781-1851, ap¬ 
proximately, who was the daughter of John Murray and his second 
wife Mary (Kimbrough) d. 1844. John Murray was born in Dau¬ 
phin County, Pa., 1745, and died in Orange County, N. C., in 
1799, having served as Sergeant in the American Revolution. 

DANIEL BURKE 

Daniel Burke, planter, soldier, Judge, and Legislator, the oldest 
son of Nimrod Burke, Jr., and Elizabeth (Butler) Burke, was born 
May 13, 1836, at the old Burke Plantation in Turkey Creek Dis¬ 
trict. He died at his home in Allentown, Wilkinson County, Geor¬ 
gia, on April 24, 1907, and his remains were laid to rest in the cem¬ 
etery of Pleasant Plains Church. 


474 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


His early education was obtained at the Turkey Creek Academy, 
and Harrison Academy. For two years he studied in the State of 
North Carolina. He completed his study in school at Macon, Geor¬ 
gia. His father, Nimrod Burke, Jr., was one of the original trustees 
of the Harrison Academy. He acquired a good education. 

He was married on July 3, 1856, in Wilkinson County, Georgia, 
to Miss Millie A. Hardie, the daughter of Joel Hardie and Marga¬ 
ret (Patterson) Hardie. She made her home for more than ten year^ 
immediately before her death, with a daughter, Annie Mae, wife of 
Walter B. Branan, of Gordon, Georgia, where she died on June 4, 
1920, and was buried by the side of her husband, Daniel Burke. 

He contributed liberally of his time and substance to the upbuild¬ 
ing of the state and the community in which he lived. He was one of 
the principal builders of the old Pleasant Plains School, where he 
served as trustee for a number of years. He was a churchman, a Ma¬ 
son, and a Democrat. He was a loyal member of the New Provi¬ 
dence Church (Baptist). He served as Worshipful Master of the 
Irwinton, Georgia, Masonic Lodge, of which he was a member. 

He volunteered as a soldier in behalf of the principles for which 
the Southern Confederacy stood and in which he and the people of 
the South firmly believed to be right, and on August 22, 1862, en¬ 
listed in Company F of the historic Third Georgia' Regiment, in 
Wright’s Brigade, and served in the army of Virginia under Gen¬ 
eral Robert E. Lee. 

He fought throughout the War between the States, until he was 
wounded almost mortally on May 14, 1864, while engaged in the 
Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, Virginia. No man fought more 
bravely than did he in the terrific battles in which this regiment was 
engaged. He was in that magnificent charge made by this regiment 
on the slopes of Cemetery Ridge at the Battle of Gettysburg, which 
immortalized these men. 

While engaged in the Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse he was 
wounded, being shot in the right eye, a fragment of the shell passing 
through and out of his right ear. His comrade, W. F. (One Armed 
Frank) Cannon, seeing him lying in a pool of water, dragged him 
out, and carried him, on his back, off the battlefield. He recuperated 
in a hospital in Virginia, where he was nursed by Mrs. Morgan, 
who kept his wound treated and provided him with food. He re¬ 
turned to his home in Wilkinson County, Georgia, on June 9, 1864. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


475 


In appreciation of the services rendered to him by Mrs. Morgan, he 
gave her thirty dollars each month as long as she lived. He received 
a pension. 

He was loved by those who knew him and regarded as a good 
business man. As the holder of considerable Confederate money and 
as owner of a large number of slaves, he sustained a great loss as a re¬ 
sult of the War Between the States. He was a Democrat and took 
an active interest in politics. In 1865 he was made a Justice of the 
Inferior Court, a position he held until the court was abolished. 
Later he served as Representative from Wilkinson County in the 
General Assembly of Georgia. He was a large planter and land 
owner. He erected, at large expense, a mill on Cedar Creek, known 
as Burke’s Mill. He amassed considerable property and at one time 
was the largest taxpayer in the county. At his death he was perhaps 
the wealthiest man living in that section of Wilkinson County. 
(Written by Mrs. A. M. Branan.) 

JOSEPH EDWARD BUTLER 

Among the first settlers of Wilkinson County came Ford Butler 
and his wife, Martha (Patsy) from South Carolina. His service in 
the Revolution had enabled him to acquire a great deal of land in 
other counties (see Knight’s Roster of the Revolution). Soon after 
his arrival he purchased many other tracts of land and at his death 
about 1818, he was one of the largest landowners of the county. 
His widow and his son, Malachi, administered on his estate. Joel, 
another of his sons, was born in South Carolina, 1787. He first 
married a Miss Culpepper, his second wife being the former Belinda 
Ashley. He rapidly amassed wealth and became one of the wealthiest 
land and slave owners of Wilkinson County. He was a strong 
believer in the Primitive Baptist Church. Late in life he moved to 
Irwinton. Among his sons was George Washington Butler, who 
inherited much of his father’s property as well as much of his busi¬ 
ness sagacity. He served in Co. D, 8th Georgia Regiment during 
the War Between the States. He was married Jan. 13, 1857, to 
Adeline Elizabeth Howell (b. 1837, d. July 19, 1912). She was 
a member of a large and influential Methodist family, being the 
daughter of David and Naomi (Edwards) Howell, of Waynes- 
ville, N. C. She came to this county about 1856, accepting a position 


476 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


as music teacher. Their children: Rufus Howell, Martha Fleta, 
Joseph Edward, George Raymond, Charles Oscar, Julia Adeline, 
William Thomas, Hattie Elizabeth, Mary Washington. 

Their son, Joseph Edward, the subject of this sketch, was born 
Dec. 20, 1862, at Irwinton. He was educated at Pleasant Plains 
Grammar School and Talmadge Institute, graduating with first 
honors in the class of 1880. At the age of seventeen he entered the 
farming and mercantile business at Boxwood, eight miles from 
Irwinton. He joined New Providence Baptist Church in 1882, and 
has attended its meetings regularly ever since. He has from date to 
the present time been a delegate and attended the Ebenezer Baptist 
Association for forty-four years, during which time served as Mod¬ 
erator of same for a period of three years and is now Clerk of 
same; was Superintendent of Irwinton Sunday School fifteen years 
and was County Superintendent for Georgia Sunday School Asso¬ 
ciation in Wilkinson County fourteen years. He was also President 
of Ebenezer Sunday School Association three years. He has attended 
every Association meeting held by the Ebenezer Association since 
1882, with the exception of three, a record possibly unsurpassed by 
any Baptist in Georgia. 

Judge Butler has been a member of the Irwinton Masonic Lodge 
since 1900 and served as Worshipful Master for a long period, 
has been a member of the Odd Fellows for several years. 

In politics, Judge Butler is a Democrat; was nominated for 
Clerk of the Superior Court in 1896, but declined to run; was 
elected Ordinary of the county in 1899, and so well did he fill the 
office that each election year he was repeatedly re-elected. The office 
of Judge of the County Court became vacant, there being such 
a few lawyers in Irwinton the Legislature passed a special act making 
the Ordinary ex-officio the Judge of the County Court, the only in¬ 
stance of its kind in all the state..He served without interruption 
until 1917, and for the next eight years he was engaged in the mer¬ 
cantile, livestock and lumber business, a portion of the same time 
serving as Clerk for the County Commissioners. In 1924, he was 
re-elected as Ordinary. During his terms of office as Ordinary he 
has officiated in approximately two hundred marriage ceremonies. 

Judge Butler was married March 4, 1909, to Fleta Jane Nesbit, 
the daughter of Alexander H. and Sarah J. Nesbit (see their 
sketch). Mrs. Butler completed a course at Talmadge Institute, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


477 


attended Wesleyan College and received her B. S. Degree from 
Brenau College in 1908, after which she taught for a while. She 
has been a member of the Irwinton Baptist Church since childhood. 
Her hospitality is known throughout the County and every one 
who has ever once been to her home is always glad to return. Her 
table is always filled with the good things to eat she has grown in 
her garden, from her flocks of the finest chickens of the county, 
from her overflowing smokehouse or from her fine herd of dairy 
cattle. In the latter she takes a great deal of well-merited pride for 
they are perhaps unexcelled in the entire county. 

In addition to the cares of her home and children, Mrs. Butler 
assists her husband in the office, performing much of the clerical 
work. She has, indeed, been a great help-meet. Her friendly dis¬ 
position and magnetic personality wins friends easily. 

Their children are: Adelyn Elizabeth, Joseph Edward, Jr., Sara 
Nesbit, and Marion Edna. 

GEORGE HENRY CARSWELL 
Lawyer—Statesman 

Of all the families of Wilkinson County, none have exceeded 
the Carswell family in prominence. In every generation it has pro¬ 
duced one or more outstanding men who have attained leadership 
in county or state affairs, such men as Matthew Carswell, N. A. 
Carswell, H. F. Carswell and last but by no means least, George 
H. Carswell. 

His great-great grandfather, Alexander Carswell, was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, and was a veteran of the Revolution. His 
great-grandfather, Matthew Carswell, born February 17, 1768, 
was one of the early settlers of Wilkinson County, settling on what 
is still known as the Old Carswell Place in Turkey Creek District, 
and soon became one of the largest landowners of that section. His 
wife was Sarah Martin, born 1766. 

From his earliest arrival here he began taking an active interest 
in county affairs. He was appointed Commissioner of the Wilkinson 
County Academy in 1810, and served as Representative of the 
County during 1814 and 1815* 

A few years later when the Stage Road leading from Macon 
by way of Dublin to Savannah was being established, he was ap- 


478 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


pointed to serve as Commissioner for Wilkinson County. As an 
evidence of the faithful performance of his duty of selecting the 
best route, sixty-five years later the Macon and Atlantic Railroad 
surveyed the route for a road-bed parallel with the old stage road. 
He died 1829, his wife following him nine years later. 

His sons, Samuel Martin and William E., became prominent 
planters of that section, the latter being by far the wealthiest man 
in Wilkinson County. The former, the grandfather of George H., 
built the old ante-bellum home on his father’s old plantation, and 
lived there until his death. His wife was Jane Manson, of another 
prominent ante-bellum family of the county. 

One of their sons, Matthew James, except for a few years at 
Society Hill, Alabama, spent the whole of his life in Wilkinson 
County, moving to Irwinton before the war. He was married 
to Miss Ellen Huff Dupree in 1858, the daughter of Dr. Ira Ellis 
Dupree, who was born in 1800, and who served as a delegate from 
Twiggs County to the Constitutional Convention of 1865, and 
Frances (Bryan) Dupree. 

Matthew James served in the War Between the States and, 
his home being in the path of Sherman’s army, the end of the war 
found his property swept away. On his farm near Irwinton his son 
George Henry Carswell was born Oct. 21, 1874. Business reverses 
occurring, the latter was unable to obtain a college education after 
completing Talmage Institute. For a while he taught a country 
school in Appling County. In 1895, he with John Todd, his brother- 
in-law, began the publication of the Bulletin. A few months later 
he purchased Mr. Todd’s interest and continued it alone. In 1899 
having determined upon the law as his chosen profession, he at¬ 
tended Mercer University Law School and was admitted to the 
bar. The County Court of Wilkinson County having recently been 
created, he was appointed its first Solicitor. However, finding the 
defense side much more to his liking, he soon resigned. 

As a Lawyer 

In the practice of law, Mr. Carswell has been a most decided 
success. On the cross examination of witnesses he has few equals: 
his knowledge of the rules of evidence often stand him in good 
stead. Especially is he in his element when pleading his cause before 
the jury. The writer has seen him on innumerable occasions when 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


479 


his case appeared lost, but when he finished speaking it would have 
a different aspect. Not only does he hold the attention of the jurors 
but whenever it is known that he is to address a jury, he has a 
large audience of others. No lawyer who has ever crossed swords 
with him in the legal arena, but henceforth has a wholesome respect 
for his abilities. 

At one time, Mr. Carswell had amassed considerable property, 
but the advent of the boll weevil, the post war deflation and illness 
in his family swept away what he owned. 

As President of the Irwinton Bank, which he assisted in organiz¬ 
ing and of which he has served as President ever since, he has on 
more than one occasion demonstrated his ability to inspire confi¬ 
dence in the people of his home town. Several times crises have 
confronted it, one or more times a run on it was impending when 
other banks throughout the country were closing their doors, but 
in each instance, he was able to avert it. 

Advocate of Education 

For several years Mr. Carswell was Chairman of the Wilkinson 
County Board of Education and during his term of office, largely 
through his influence and efforts, a great deal of improvements were 
made in the schools of the county. He was thus aware of the great 
needs of the poor children of Georgia for better educational advant¬ 
ages. He has served several terms in the Legislature, nine years 
in the House, and six years in the Senate. In 1918 having been again 
elected to represent the county he was asked to sponsor the famous 
Elder-Carswell bill authorizing counties to supplement school funds 
with local taxation. For several years past this bill had been intro¬ 
duced but failed to receive the required majority. Mr. Carswell, 
however, threw himself wholeheartedly into the fight and success¬ 
fully carried it through. No law in recent years has benefited more 
the schools of Georgia, unless it is that allowing State Aid for 
High Schools, which was another of his measures, the latter also a 
Constitutional Amendment permitting the support of High Schools 
which heretofore was forbidden. 

Legislator 

In 1917-20 he served as Floor Leader of the House for Gov- 


480 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ernor Dorsey and as such engineered the passage of the bill creating 
the State Highway Department. 

Likewise, as Floor Leader, there was entrusted to him the pas¬ 
sage of the Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Bill which has had 
such a revolutionary effect in the collection of damages for in¬ 
juries. Perhaps no law ever enacted by the Georgia Legislature 
has so revolutionized conditions for those engaged in industrial oc¬ 
cupations and their families. It has lessened enormously the number 
of actions filed in the courts to enforce the claims for injuries and 
has also made it possible for untold numbers of destitute families to 
recover aid where under the existing laws they would have been to¬ 
tally debarred from recovering any compensation at all. 

Another bill which he was largely instrumental in passing was 
the Child Labor Bill which has meant so much to the children who 
hitherto had been driven like slaves in industrial plants, but never 
were given a chance for the schooling that other children received. 

His experience in banking caused him to be selected to pilot two 
other measures through: the Uniform Negotiable Instruments Bill, 
which made the laws of Georgia governing Bills and Notes con¬ 
form to the general law in force in practically all the states of the 
Union. The other was the re-organization of the Banking laws of 
Georgia, the workings of which is rapidly becoming recognized 
as being a masterful piece of legislation, as the real intents of the 
framers of the act are now being put into practice. 

In i9i9-’20 he served as Chairman of the House Appropriations 
Committee most creditably. Likewise, in 1917-’ 18, he served as 
Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, which chair¬ 
manships were considered the most important that could be given. 

President of the Senate 

At the beginning of the 1925 term of the Senate he stood for 
the Presidency. Although with considerable opposition at the out¬ 
set his strength continued to grow until the date of the convening 
found him the unanimous choice of that body. 

It was while President of the Senate that a bill came up for a 
vote in which he was vitally interested, the creation of the Alto 
Sanitarium for tuberculosis victims. The vote was a tie. He left 
his Chair and took the floor in its behalf. Those who were in the 
Senate chamber at the time say he made the speech of his life. That 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


481 


in his speech he said, “Back in the little town of Irwinton there 
are two people slowly dying of this terrible plague. One of these 
is a poor carpenter, his daily earnings have been supporting his large 
family of helpless children. He is not able to go to high priced 
sanitariums. For such as he, I cast the deciding vote in favor of Alto 
Sanatarium.” 

Mr. Carswell has for several years been one of the Trustees of 
Georgia School of Technology. 

Gubernatorial Candidate—Secretary of State 

In 1926, Mr. Carswell made the race for Governor. It was then 
the people of Georgia recognized his ability as a campaigner. His 
caustic wit and ready repartee make of him a dangerous antagonist 
in a political debate. Though unsuccessful in the race yet it is ac¬ 
knowledged by his political enemies that he was a determining fac¬ 
tor in the final outcome of that election. In 1928, upon the death of 
W. G. McLendon, Secretary of State, he was appointed by Gov¬ 
ernor L. G. Hardeman to fill the unexpired term. He was there¬ 
after elected to succeed himself. 

It was while serving in this capacity that he began making changes 
in the management of the duties of his office, tending towards a 
much greater efficiency. Immediate improvements were evident. A 
careful check on auto tags alone poured in excess of $500,000.00. 
more funds into the State coffers than had ever been received be¬ 
fore in one year. Another of his plans was the manufacture of all 
auto tags by convicts at the State Farm at Milledgeville, which has 
been begun and which already promises a saving of many thousands 
of dollars to the State annually. 

Announcement of his candidacy for Governor in the 1930 cam¬ 
paign is believed to be imminent and it is generally conceded he 
stands a most excellent chance of being elected. In this event there 
is every reason to believe that he will put into practice more ideas 
of economy in the management of the affairs of state. 

Mr. Carswell was married November 26, 1902, to Miss Ethel 
Wood, daughter of Dr. Joshua S. Wood, of Irwinton. Their chil¬ 
dren are: Claire; Ellen, (who is the wife of David Ramsey Sim¬ 
mons, of Bainbridge, Georgia, and has one little girl, (Virginia 
Claire); George H., Jr.; Harold; and Hubert, who died at the 
age of two years. On her father’s side Mrs. Carswell was descended 


482 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


from the Wood family of Washington County, Tully Choice, a 
Captain in the Revolutionary War, Kinman and other historic fam¬ 
ilies: on her mother’s side from the Graybills, the prominent Tucker 
family and others. 

Mrs. Carswell was considered one of the most beautiful women 
Irwinton has ever produced: her well cultivated soprano voice, as 
she sang the old familiar hymns in the church, still linger pleas¬ 
antly in the memories of hundreds who heard her:—an ideal mother 
and home-maker. 

LEVI RICHARDSON CASON 

Levi Richardson Cason was born near Sandersville, Washington 
County, Georgia, April 19, 1839. About two years after the War 
Between the States he located in Toomsboro, Wilkinson County, 
and except for a year at Forsyth, Ga., and three years at Jackson, 
Ga., he lived there until his death. He first clerked for Judge Can¬ 
non, later for Mr. Ira Deese and he also taught school for a short 
while. About 1877 he went into business for himself and when he 
retired forty-five years afterwards he had long been one of the lead¬ 
ing merchants of the county. He built the first brick mercantile 
building in the county, at the same time putting up the Wilkinson 
County Bank Building, the first bank in the county. He served as 
one of the Directors of this bank from its beginning until about two 
years before his death, and before it was organized he acted in the 
capacity of private banker for numbers of his customers. He was an 
elder in the Toomsboro Christian Church. He had served both as 
Mayor and Councilman of his town, and was a member of Camp 
Warthen, U. C. V. He enlisted in the Confederate army, April 19, 
1861, age twenty-two, in Co. A, 28th Regiment Georgia Vol., and 
served the full four years. He was in many notable engagements 
and was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Mr. Cason died 
at Toomsboro, Ga., May 13, 1927, age eighty-eight years, and was 
buried at the Stephens family cemetery. He was survived by his 
wife, four daughters, two sons and eleven grand-children. 

William Cason, grandfather of L. R. Cason, settled in Washing¬ 
ton County between Sandersville and Oconee about 1800, moving 
there with his wife, Rhoda, from on the Tar River, N. C. They had 
one daughter, (Mrs. Stuart) and three sons, Henry (Ala.), John 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


483 


Justin (Fla.) and Dennis, father of L. R. Cason, born in .Washing¬ 
ton County 1805, died December 2, 1862. Dennis Cason married 
Sarah Massey, born in N. C. 1806, died Nov., 1887. Sarah was a 
daughter of Ab^l Massey and Elizabeth (Jones) Massey, who 
moved to Washington County from North Carolina in 1814. L. R. 
Cason had three brothers who also served during the War Between 
the States, Abel, 1862-65, with First Georgia Battalion; William, 
1861-65, with First Georgia Regiment, later with First Georgia 
Battalion; and John, enlisted 1861 in Co. B, 28th Georgia Regi¬ 
ment, died of illness May, ’62, and was buried at Oakwood Ceme¬ 
tery, Richmond, Va. When Mr. Cason visited Richmond a few 
years before his death he had a marker placed there for the family, 
in addition to the Confederate marker. These four soldier brothers 
had three sisters widowed by the war—Mary, m. Owen Elkins, d. 
Nov., ’62, at Seven Pines; Rhoda, m. H. L. Hodges, d. ’62, at 
Sharpsburg; Nellie, m. Tom Tucker, d. June, ’62, in Seven Days’ 
fight around Richmond. 

Jan. 4, 1874, L. R. Cason married Martha Virginia Stephens, 
of Toomsboro, granddaughter of John Stephens and Elizabeth 
(Matthews) Stephens, who moved to Wilkinson County from N. 
C. in 1822. John Stephens served with the N. C. Militia during 
the Revolutionary War, and his grave, two miles south of Tooms¬ 
boro, was marked April, 1925, by Major General Samuel Elbert 
Chapter, D. A. R., Tennille, Ga., the first grave in the county to be 
so honored. James, the oldest child of John and Elizabeth, was born 
in N. C., Feb. 27, 1817, and was married in 1840 to Jerusha 
Barnes, daughter of William Barnes and Cecelia (Vickers) Barges. 
Of thesix daughters (they had no sons) of James and Jerusha, iour 
became the wives of ex-Confederate soldiers, Martha Virginia be¬ 
ing the wife of L. R. Cason. During the War Between the States 
James Stephens did home service which entitles his descendants to 
membership in the S. C. V. and the U. D. C. 

(By Mrs. Sarah Cason Todd and Addigene Cason.) 

WILLIAM IRWIN CHAMBERS 

Was born in Washington county September 15, 1812, died Dec. 
31, 1893. He was the son of Lucy (Johnson) and Simon Peter 
Chambers, Jr., who was the son of Simon Peter Chambers, Sr., who 
came to this country from France, when he was sixteen years of 


484 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


age, he was one of the first settlers of Savannah, Ga., and was one 
of the first to rebel against King George. (See Whites History of 
Ga.) He married a Miss Stewart, sister of Gov. Jared Irwins 
wife, relatives of Gen. Stewart for whom Stewart County was 
named. They had only one child, Simon Peter, Jr., who had seven 
children: William Irwin, David, James, John, Nancy, Rebeckah,. 
Susan. 

William Irwin Chambers in 1841 married Hannah Jane Hall, 
the daughter of Zilpha (Jones) and Ira Hall, born Dec. 10, 1825, 
died March 17, 1888. She ministered unto all with whom she came 
in contact, her loving words and deeds of kindness still live in the 
hearts of those who knew her. Her memory is like a guardian an¬ 
gel, always with us. There were twelve children in this family: 
Franklin, Ira, Andrew, Joel, Oscar, Julia, Anna, Laura, Ada, 
Nora, Ruth, one son died in infancy. William Irwin Chambers 
was the grandfather of forty-four children, and great grandfather 
of seventy. He was an old landmark of Irwinton, Ga., came here in 
1849, and lived in the same house for forty-four years, he was one 
among the few settlers who lived here, when Irwinton was nothing 
more than a forest of tall pines. He was a very intelligent man and 
had a far reaching insight into the future; he was at one time the 
leading merchant of Irwinton as well as a practical farmer; he be¬ 
lieved in raising home supplies; he was also County Treasurer for 
a number of years, and in this capacity made a worthy officer, no 
man was more bitterly opposed to the Civil War and although three 
of his sons enlisted and did gallant work for their home and coun¬ 
try he declared that such a conflict would bring ruin and destruc¬ 
tion to this country; though he vigorously opposed the war, he did 
his part at home, (being too old to enlist), by furnishing supplies 
to the wives and children of those who were at the front; he was 
also Postmaster during this period. When the Homestead Law was 
being discussed, he openly opposed it, with all the vigor born to the 
human soul; he was the type of honesty that looked upon the dis¬ 
honesty of his day with unspeakable condemnation; he abhorred 
profanity and did not even tolerate slang in his family; he was 
chaste in his language and had ideals of the highest type; he dealt 
fairly and squarely with his fellowman, and left his family a good 
name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches. 

(By Ruth Chambers Everett.) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


485 


FRANKLIN CHAMBERS 
July 27, 1842—November 26, 1928 

No son of Wilkinson ever loved his native county more, none 
ever gave to her more patriotic, more unselfish, more unstinted 
service as its public servant than did Franklin Chambers, lawyer, 
Confederate Soldier, Ordinary, Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1877 for the 21st District, Representative, State 
Senator, and Presidential Elector. 

He was born in Irwinton, the oldest son of William Irwin and 
Jane (Hall) Chambers. (See W. I. Chambers Sketch.) 

William I. Chambers was indeed a most remarkable man, and 
one whose outspoken opinions carried great weight in his day. Stern 
and uncompromising in matters relating to public duty, he held the 
utmost confidence of the people of the county. In i860 when the 
vote on the secession question was held, it is said that he made the 
political fight of his life against seceding, and when the Convention 
at Milledgeville cast the deciding ballot, he predicted the ruin 
which later followed. 

Although only nineteen years of age when Co. F 3rd Ga. Reg. 
was organized at Irwinton, the subject of this sketch, fired with the 
spirit of patriotism which was sweeping the county was one of the 
first to enlist for service, April 26, 1861. His intrepid spirit, cool¬ 
ness under fire and power of leadership, caused his promotion one 
year later to 1st Sergeant of the Company, even though yet a mere 
boy. At the second Battle of Manassas, August 30, 1862, he re¬ 
ceived a wound. 

January 1, 1864, at the age of twenty-two, having been elected 
Ordinary of Wilkinson County, he received his discharge and re¬ 
turned to Irwinton to perform the duties of this office. During this 
time he also assisted the Inferior Court in the discharge of its du¬ 
ties. 

When Sherman’s Army was approaching Irwinton, it seems he 
was the only person who thought about removing the County Rec¬ 
ords from the courthouse in anticipation of its being burned. Call¬ 
ing Leroy Fleetwood to his assistance the two piled all the most 
important Records and Documents into boxes and loading them on 
a wagon carried them into the heart of Big Sandy swamp and 
buried them. Dampness seeping into the boxes injured some which 


486 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


may yet be noticed. But for this one act of his many chapters of this 
history would have had to be omitted. 

He studied law while Ordinary and was admitted to the bar. His 
ability as a lawyer soon brought him to the forefront and earned 
for him the recognition as one of the ablest members of the bar in 
this section. In 1876 he was chosen as an Elector to the National 
Democratic Convention of Tilden and Hendricks. The next year 
he served as a delegate from the Twenty-First Senatorial District 
to the Constitutional Convention. During the two succeeding years 
he served as Representative from Wilkinson. In 1892 and 1893 he 
was Senator for the 21st District. After this he practiced law at Ir- 
winton until 1895 when he moved to Macon and opened an office 
with Hon. Hoke Polhill where he continued his practice as long as 
his health permitted. 

Mr. Chambers was married in 1868 to Elmina Hughes, daugh¬ 
ter of Heywood and Elizabeth (Wynne) Hughes, of a prominent 
Twiggs County family. Their children are: 

Franklin Breckinbridge, born April 28, 1875, President of the 
Wilkinson County Bank, a leading merchant of Toomsboro; one 
of Wilkinson County’s most progressive and substantial citizens; a 
man whose integrity is unquestioned; who married November 20, 
1912, to Lamar Albea, of Sandersville, and whose children are: 
Frank, Jr., Barbara, William Thomas and Kathleen. 

Hugh, born March 8, 1872, graduated Mercer University, A.B. 
Degree, 1892; University of Georgia, B.L. Degree, 1895; began 
the practice of law in June, 1895, in Sandersville, Ga., moved to 
Macon, Ga., January, 1899, joining his father; married June 17, 
1899, in Millen, Ga., Elizabeth Butts, the daughter of Lawrence 
Butts, Confederate Soldier; Solicitor Washington County Court, 
1896-98; Judge, Municipal Court Macon, January 1, 1915, to 
date; children, Sue, (m. M. R. Gardner), Elmina. 

Elbert, who has been engaged continuously in the Railway Mail 
Service since seventeen years of age, was married to Julia Davis 
and lives at Decatur, Ga. Children: Davis (accidentally killed in a 
football game), Effie, (Mrs. Montgomery), Franklin, Helen, El¬ 
bert and Katherine. 

Effie, married James Baker of Macon and lives in Macon. Her 
numerous friends in Irwinton frequently speak of her grace and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


487 


charm, her utter unselfishness and her love and care for her aged 
father and mother. 


ANDREW CHAMBERS 

Was the son of William Irwin, and Jane (Hall) Chambers. He 
was born March 16, 1848. Died Aug. 3, 1917. He joined the army 
at sixteen years of age; was wounded in the Battle of Griswold- 
ville; was Agent for the Central Railroad at McIntyre, Georgia, 
for fifteen years; also did a large mercantile business up to the time 
his health failed him. 

He was married to Maxie B. Jackson, daughter of James and 
Elizabeth Pittman Jackson, born October 17, 1850, died Septem¬ 
ber 10, 1906. She was a wonderful example of true womanhood; 
their home was “A house by the side of the road, and was truly a 
friend to man.” Their hospitality was unexcelled. They had only 
one child, James Jackson Chambers, of Macon, Georgia. He in¬ 
herited a big, generous heart from his parents; and has been suc¬ 
cessful in the business world. He married Julia Schall, also of Ma¬ 
con, Ga., daughter of Margaret (Merkel) and Jacob Schall. 

Andrew Chambers was very active in a political way, and had a 
wide influence; often he was urged by his friends to run for office, 
but always preferred to use his influence for others. He had a mag¬ 
netism about his personality that drew people to him and although 
frank and outspoken on all issues, he numbered his friends by all 
who knew him. 

He was steadfast in his convictions and the embodiment of sin¬ 
cerity. 

(By Ruth Chambers Everett.) 

GEORGE W. EVERETT 

The son of Elizabeth (Corbett) and James Brickus Everett, of 
Oconee, Ga., Washington County, born Feb. 22nd, 1862. James 
Brickus Everett was born in Raleigh, N. C., and came to Georgia 
in boyhood. He enlisted in the Confederate Army and gave four 
years service for his country. He was a successful farmer, and one 
of the pillars in old Bay Spring Church, Washington County; he 
was upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellowman. 

George W. Everett came to Irwinton, Georgia, Wilkinson 


488 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


County and entered Talmage Institute, Jan. 1st, 1882. For a num¬ 
ber of years he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1903 he was 
appointed Rural Carrier on Route No. 2, Irwinton, Ga., and has 
already completed twenty-seven years of service. Jan. 16, 1887, he 
was married to Ruth Chambers, youngest daughter of Jane (Hall) 
and William Irwin Chambers. There were seven children in this 
family: James William, born Dec. 24, 1887, married Eva Snell, 
they have one child, James William, Jr.; Floy Lee, born Aug. 24, 
1889; Myrtle, born April 7, 1891, married Gainer E. Fulford, 
Wrightsville, Ga.; George Frederick, born April 7, 1893, married 
Beulah Pennington; Oscar Chambers, born June 9, 1897, died May 
19, 1905; Irwin Emory, born July 29, 1899, married Alma Skip¬ 
per, they have one child, Irwin Edwin; Malcolm Hall, born Aug. 
14, 1900. 

George W. Everett was reared in a Methodist family and true 
to his ancestry he has not departed from the faith. For a number of 
years he has been Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Irwin¬ 
ton Charge. He not only collects and looks after the affairs of his 
own church, but is very diligent and keeps in close touch with the 
country churches and in every way tries to strengthen and encour¬ 
age the work of each church. The interest of his pastor is always 
on his heart; he gives freely, and puts forth great efforts to bring 
up the assessments in full. 

May he continue in usefulness and hold God’s banner high; 
never falter, never fail. 

(By Ruth Chambers Everett.) 

HOMER ADOLPHUS CLIETT 

Homer Adolphus Cliett was born in Cairo, Miss., August 18, 
1894, the son of Sara Alice (Valentine, d. 1895) and Pe^arsel Boaz 
Cliett (b. Dec. 2, 1863, m. Dec. 17, 1884) ; grandson of Sara Ann 
(Johnson, b. Jan. 12, 1831, m. Sept. 8, 1847, d. Montpelier, Miss. 
June 12, 1916) and Thomas A. J. Cliett (b. Feb. 14, 1826, d. 
Feb. 16, 1895; and of Lina (Luther) and Jesse Valentine. 

After graduating at the Clay Co. Agricultural High School, 
Pheba, Miss., in 1914, he entered the Mississippi A. & M. College 
and in 1917, received his B. S’. Degree in Agriculture. While in 
College he was a member of the George Rifle Fraternity, Agricul- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


489 


tural Club, the Philotectic Literary Society, Rifle Club, Night 
Hawks, Y. M. C. A., and Sable Club. 

In 1918 he came to Irwinton as County Agricultural Agent, 
serving as such until 1919, when he removed to Sandersville to 
take charge of the work there. During 1921 was Bleckley County’s 
first Agricultural Agent, at Cochran, and in 1922 was at Barnes- 
ville. From 1923 to 1925 he served again as the Wilkinson Co. 
Agent, being instrumental in having the first cattle dipping vats 
built in this section, conducted the first County Fair, and his 
exhibit won second prize at the State Fair. In 1925 he was trans¬ 
ferred to Americus where he has been in the same work, where 
under his supervision many of the farmers of Sumter Co., are im¬ 
proving their methods of farming—winter legumes are rapidly 
becoming popular—his 4-H Club boys are breaking all records 
heretofore established in their products and Sumter Co., is known 
throughout the State as one of the banner agricultural counties. 
The four scholarship loan funds for deserving members of his 4-H 
Clubs, which he has been able to establish, will unquestionably mean 
much to the future of the county. 

In the various counties where he has served as Agent, Mr. Cliett 
has won for himself state-wide fame in finding markets for the 
farmers’ product, in the numerous prize-winning exhibits at Fairs, 
organizing Boys’ Clubs, etc. In recognition of his meritorious ser¬ 
vices membership in the Epsilon Sigma Phi Society of the U. S'. 
Dept, of Agriculture has been conferred upon him. 

Mr. Cliett is a deacon in the Baptist church, a director in the 
Kiwanis Club, member of the Chamber of Commerce, a Royal 
Arch Mason and a Democrat. 

He was married Feb. 2, 1919, to Sarah Carol Nesbit, of Irwin¬ 
ton (b. April 29, 1894, the daughter of A. H. and Sarah J. Nesbit, 
see their sketch). Mrs. Cliett after attending Talmadge Institute 
spent one year at Bessie Tift College, and then graduated at G. 
S. C. W. at Milledgeville in 1917, being a member of the Glee Club 
at the latter place. After her graduation she taught for two years 
at Irwinton. Not only does Mrs. Cliett make a most admirable wife 
and mother, but wherever she makes her home she takes an active 
interest in church and civic affairs. She is a member of the Baptist 
Church, Pianist for the Sunday School, officer in the P.-T. A., 
member of the Woman’s Literary Club of the W. C. T. U. and 


490 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Garden Club. While in Sandersville she was a member of the 
Woman’s Club and at Barnesville of the Three Arts Club. Each 
year she has assisted in the Woman’s Department at County Fairs. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cliett have two children: Pearsel Alexander, b. 
July 19, 1920, and Eleanor Marilyn, b. July 23, 1923. Intellectual 
and talented, they give promise of a bright future. 

CHARLES CULPEPPER 

Unhonored and unsung by historians, his memory forgotten, ex¬ 
cept by a few, no man ever lived in Wilkinson County who more 
richly deserves space in this History than does Charles Culpepper. 

While we have no direct data on the date and place of his birth, 
yet we have every reason to believe that he was a native of Vir¬ 
ginia. We find his brother, Sampson Culpepper, being granted land 
in Washington County, Georgia, by reason of his service in the 
Revolution. Charles was evidently too young to fight in this war. 
We first find Charles in Georgia as an active Baptist Minister 
serving in the Hepzibah Association. 

Mr. Culpepper was married to Rachel, the eldest daughter of 
that grand old North Carolina patriot, Josiah Warren, who will 
go down in history as “The lone horseman from Burke county,” 
who rode upon the excited scene before the State House at Louis¬ 
ville, Georgia, in 1796 at the very moment when the Yazoo Act 
was about to be burned, and drawing from his pocket the sun-glass 
suggested to his friend, Jas. Jackson, that the accursed document 
be consumed by fire drawn from heaven. 

Among the earliest settlers of Wilkinson are found three Cul¬ 
peppers, Charles, his brother Sampson, and Joel (probably also a 
brother). These settled in the vicinity of Toomsboro, the home of 
Charles being on the lands formerly owned by Dr. N. T. Cars¬ 
well, now by Geo.’ H. Carswell, four miles east of Irwinton. 

Never was a man more thoroughly imbued with the spirit of 
Missions than was Charles Culpepper. He, it seems was first to 
realize the tremendous opportunity of the Baptist church in that 
vast territory lying between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers into 
which hordes of settlers were literally pouring, clearing the lands 
and building their homes, a vast region without community cen¬ 
ters, clamoring in every settlement for some place of worship, some 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


491 


clearing house for social intercourse to break the monotony of the 
backwoods. 

Seizing the opportunity, sometimes with Rev. Shirey as his part¬ 
ner, sometimes with Rev. John Ross, also a Virginian, he began the 
work of planting churches. Roads were as yet mere trails, but these 
consecrated men, without pay or hope of reward would select a 
community where there were already members of the Baptist 
church, and using these as a nucleus would announce services and 
invite the neighborhood, and soon a church would be organized. 
His unceasing activities won for him the approbation of his fellow 
Baptists. As the churches were organized they were added to the 
Hepzibah Association, which by reason of its enormous area and 
number of churches was becoming unwieldy. Thus, in 1814, when 
the Ebenezer Association was formed at Cool Spring church at Al¬ 
lentown, Charles Culpepper was a leading spirit and now became a 
member of the Association, which his work in organizing churches 
had made possible. 

It was during these years that the question of Missions was be¬ 
ginning to agitate the Baptists. Into this movement he threw his 
whole being, and in no small way was responsible for the rapid 
growth of the Missionary idea. The Hepzibah Missionary Society 
was organized, among the first in Georgia, and Culpepper was 
made its President. Thus, Charles Culpepper might well be called 
“The Father of Missions” in Wilkinson County. Through the 
years that followed he was ever in the forefront leading the Mis¬ 
sionary elements of the Baptist churches in this section, and in 
Houston County where he later moved. 

And not alone as a minister of the Gospel was Charles Culpep¬ 
per noted. His strength of character, his reputation for honor had so 
endeared him to the citizens of Wilkinson County, that, when the 
selection of the county site was to be made, and every effort was be¬ 
ing exerted to choose those commissioners to perform this duty who 
could not be swayed by public opinion or hope of gain, Charles Cul¬ 
pepper was one of those appointed by the legislature. 

In 1816, he was chosen to represent Wilkinson County in the 
legislature, serving one term. 

In 1824, when the educational system of Wilkinson was re¬ 
organized, Charles Culpepper was appointed one of the commis¬ 
sioners of the Winkinson Academy. 


492 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Culpepper was sought after and took an active interest in all 
public gatherings. The Fourth of July celebrations sometimes took 
political turns and the toasts given were often at odds with the po¬ 
litical beliefs of Culpepper, who was a strong supporter of the 
Troupe ticket. However, the toasts which he gave as is recorded in 
the newspaper accounts of the day, evidence a man of education, 
culture, and a deep understanding of human nature. They were 
such as would not antagonize the numerous Clark supporters pres¬ 
ent, for whose political opinions he showed every respect. 

It was inevitable that Culpepper should be a Troupe supporter. 
Not only was it natural for him to align himself with the great 
mass of his fellow Virginians in Georgia, but, likewise his wife’s 
father and brothers stood by the party advocated by the Virginians. 

In 1809, having now moved from Burke County to Laurens, 
Josiah Warren and his wife both died, leaving several minor chil¬ 
dren. Culpepper was appointed their guardian and took them to his 
own home near Irwinton. Having no children of his own, 
he lavished upon them a father’s love, giving them every ad¬ 
vantage of an education. Best of all he seems to have transmitted to 
these orphans that divine spark which animated his whole being. 
And whether in the ministry, in the laity; whether as lawyers, on 
the Bench, or as State House officials, these orphans and their 
descendants have ever since borne the mantle of Charles Culpepper. 
Though near ninety years have passed since his death, they still re¬ 
vere his memory; his influence still lives. 

One of these orphan boys was Lott Warren, Superior Court 
Judge and Congressman, who besides being eminent in public life, 
was a local Baptist preacher and founded the First Baptist Church 
at Albany, Georgia. A second, Kittrell Warren, became a mis¬ 
sionary to the Indians, the father of the beloved of Dr. E. W. 
Warren, for so long pastor of the First Baptist Church at Macon, 
himself the father of Dr. L. B. Warren, another Baptist preacher. 
General Eli Warren, another of these orphans, while on Mr. Cul¬ 
pepper’s farm, became famous by being the first person to pick a 
hundred pounds of cotton in one day, cotton then being planted in 
hills in such a manner as to retard picking. He later became one of 
the leading lawyers of Georgia, his only son Josiah L. Warren be¬ 
ing also a Baptist preacher, pastor of the Baptist church at Mil- 
ledgeville and his health failing, went into business at Savannah. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


493 


Another grandson of General Warren was Dr. William Warren 
Landrum, formerly Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta 
and other large churches in several Northern cities. To Hon. War¬ 
ren Grice, another grandson of General Warren, the compiler is 
deeply indebted for assistance in the preparation of this book. 

GEORGE ORINTHUS ALLEN DAUGHTRY 

George Orinthus Allen Daughtry was born in Nansemond 
County, Virginia. He received his preparatory education at Buck- 
horn Academy, Como, N. C., then went to Richmond College. At 
the age of nineteen he came to Twiggs County and practiced law in 
Jeffersonville, moving a few years later to Allentown where he be¬ 
came a merchant and planter. The remainder of his life was spent 
there except the years between 1903 and 1916 when he and his 
family lived in Macon. He was successful in business, active in po¬ 
litics and served in the Georgia legislature as representative from 
Wilkinson in 1900 and 1901. 

Mr. Daughtry was a man of unusual personality. He had a 
quick wit, lively imagination and could always entertain an audi¬ 
ence with his humorous stories. People were attracted to him by his 
genial humor and friendliness while his sympathetic attitude, gen¬ 
erosity and loyalty won for him a vast number of friends. He was 
always glad to help those in trouble and was known as “the friend 
to the negro and poor whites” to whom he never failed to give help 
and encouragement. He was most ambitious for his children, al¬ 
ways striving to give them the best advantages. Through his sym¬ 
pathetic and understanding nature, there existed a spirit of com¬ 
radeship between him and his family. 

According to tradition the Daughtry ancestors were Scotch 
Irish and settled on the east coast of Maryland, moving later to 
Virginia. Allen Daughtry and Ann Daughtry, grandparents of G. 
O. A. Daughtry, lived in Nansemond County, Virginia. Their 
children were Margaret (married John B. Jenkins), Elizabeth 
(married James Holland), Lucy (married Elijah Joyner), Sarah 
Allen, Dr. William H. Daughtry of Southampton County, Dr. 
Mills Everett Daughtry, and Solomon P. Daughtry. Every male 
member of the Daughtry family fought in the War Between the 
States. Dr. William H. Daughtry was a surgeon in the 14th Va. 


494 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Regiment, Armistead’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division. Dr. Mills Ev¬ 
erett Daughtry was also a surgeon in the Virginia army. 

Solomon P. Daughtry, father of G. O. A. Daughtry, born No¬ 
vember 17, 1831, joined the Tennessee army at Memphis, where 
he was living at that time, and served four years. Soon after the 
war, his wife, Salina (Moore) Daughtry, died and he came to 
Georgia, opening up a stave factory in Twiggs County. He later 
moved to Allentown, where he lived until his death January 17, 
1892. Of his seven children, only three lived. G. O. A. Daughtry, 
Sept. 4, 1853, died Dec. 23, 1921. William Everett Daughtry, 
married Mattie Burke (daughter of John and Sarah Burke). Died 
1913. No children. Annie Virginia Daughtry. 

On Nov. 5, 1882, G. O. A. Daughtry married Jane Coleman 
Allen, daughter of Willis and Sarah Allen. Their children are 
Helen Virginia Daughtry, graduated from G. N. I. C. (now G. S. 
C. W.) 1905, Carnegie Library School 1925. Jennie Sue Daugh¬ 
try, graduate of Lanier High School 1906, State Teacher’s College 
1913, Curry School of Expression 1923, Mercer University 1929. 
Attended Wesleyan 1906-1909. Allen Willis Daughtry, graduate 
of Mercer University 1910. Married Rebecca Hearn, Nov. 12, 
1927. Served ten months overseas during World War in Head¬ 
quarters Company, 320th Field Artillery, 82nd Division. He en¬ 
listed at Irwinton in April, 1918, and ten days later sailed for 
England, where he received three months military training. The 
remainder of the time he was stationed at Tours. He was honor¬ 
ably discharged at Camp Gordon February, 1919. George Orin- 
thus Allen Daughtry, Jr., graduate of Lanier High School, 1909, 
Mercer University, 1913, Mercer Law School, 1915: served on 
Mexican border in 1916 and 1917 with Macon Machine Gun 
Company of Georgia National Guard: received a commission in 
the regular army during World War in 1917. Since then he has 
served continuously in the army and holds the rank of captain. Sa¬ 
rah Elizabeth Daughtry, graduate of G. N. I. C. 1914. Married 
Drane D. Smith Nov. 15, 1916. Her children are Helen Virginia, 
Jane Estelle, and George Daughtry. Annie Moore Daughtry, 
graduate of G. S. C. W. 1918, studied at Columbia University, and 
T W. C. A. National Training School. Taught three years at 
G. S. C. W, 


(By Miss Jennie Daughtry) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


495 


MRS. MARTHA JANE (HOGAN) DAVIDSON 

The daughter of John G. R. and Mary (Bullock) Hogan was 
born July 22, 1849. On her paternal side she was the grand-daughter 
of Major Elijah and Sarah (Rye) Hogan; on her maternal side, 
the grand-daughter of Willis and Nancy (Easterling) Bullock; 
great-grand-daughter of James Bullock; and of James Bennett Eas¬ 
terling, a veteran of the Revolution and Milly, his wife; great- 
great-grand-daughter of Henry and Ellen (Bennett) Easterling. 

Her early education was obtained at the Pleasant Plains school, 
then one of the leading schools of the county. Her father, while not 
wealthy, was in comfortable circumstances, owning a plantation 
and several slaves. 

After the war, she was employed as governess by her father’s 
brother, David Hogan, then living in Irwin county. Later, she re¬ 
turned to her home near Pleasant Plains church and in 1867 was 
married to James Thomas Davidson. Of this union there were: 
Ella, J. I., J. O., J. T., Rosa, R. E., Mattie, Emma, Mary, Allen, 
Effie, Victor, Maria. 

In spite of the years of depression and the rearing of a large 
family they had been able to acquire a few hundred acres of land 
at the time of her husband’s death in 1894. She at once bravely took 
charge and with the aid of her older sons carried on the farm work, 
rearing the children and giving them the best education the schools 
then afforded. 

Although in her eighty-first year she has a most marvelous mem¬ 
ory and is in possession of all her faculties. During her childhood 
she was often accustomed to visit the older people of the com¬ 
munity and have them tell her of the pioneer days of Wilkinson, 
tales of the Revolution, of Indian wars, of wild “varmints,” of 
witches and ghosts. She easily recalls these accounts just as they 
were told her; and her children, grand-children and great-grand¬ 
children often gather about her and beg her to tell these stories 
of the long ago, and they listen with open mouths, to the same old 
tales that have enthralled the children of each generation since 
Wilkinson was first a county. It was these stories that first awak¬ 
ened in the author a desire to compile this history. 

No person ever lived his or her religion more earnestly than she. 


495 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Becoming a member of the Primitive Baptist Church at an early 
age she regularly attends her meetings. 

Her inherent friendliness, kindness and hospitality instantly 
awakens the love of every person with whom she comes in contact. 
Those in trouble come to her for sympathy; she rejoices with those 
who rejoice. She ever inspires all that is best in every person in 
her presence. 


JOHN THOMAS DAVIDSON 

Tax Assessor for fourteen years, serving as Chairman a portion of 
the time, Justice of the Peace for twenty-six years, member of Ex¬ 
ecutive Committee for several years, one of the leading farmers of 
the county, Mason, Democrat in politics, Steward in Oakdale 
Methodist Church, for many years Trustee of Pleasant Plains 
School, was born the 1st day of March, 1875, the son of James 
Thomas and Martha J. (Hogan) Davidson. 

He is the grandson of Allen, (b. 1795, d. i860) and Maria (d. 
of John and Betsy (Tomberlin) Davidson, the great-grandson of 
Joseph (b. N. C. 1760) and Winnie (May) Davidson, Warren 
Co., Ga., d. 1820; great-great-grandson (according to family tra¬ 
ditions) of John Davidson who came as an immigrant from Ireland 
to Maryland, later settling in N. C., and of James May (d. 1799) 
and Lydia, his wife, of Warren Co., Ga. 

Joseph and Winnie, together with his brothers, William and Mo¬ 
ses, came to Wilkinson among the first settlers, each taking up land 
near the Davidson old home place. William later moved to Mon¬ 
roe Co., Ga. Joseph’s children were: John, m. Linsey Smith; Win¬ 
nie, m. Taliaferro Porter, d. in Ala.; Lydia, m. Absolem Jordan; 
Allen, m. Maria Tomberlin; Vinnie, m. T. Porter after Winnie’s 
death; Moses, m. Betsy Tomberlin; William; Joseph and others. 

Mr. Davidson was married in 1900 to Miss Mary Lee, daughter 
of W. H. Lee, Sr., (Apr. 10, 1840-1929) and Ellen (Jordan, who 
came to Marion from Connecticut) Lee, a prominent family of the 
lower part of Twiggs Co. Mr. Lee’s father was one of the first set¬ 
tlers of Twiggs and operated a line of wagons hauling produce and 
merchandise to and from the big plantation of Twiggs County to 
Savannah. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have one son, James Lee, (b. June 1, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


497 


1901, m. 1922, Lucile Green, who has one d. Evangeline) ; and 
one daughter, Ardelle, (b. 1905, m. W. R. Butler, 1922, whose 
children are: Doris and Mary Elinor). They have also adopted as 
their own Mrs. Davidson’s niece, Edna Butler, whom they are 
rearing and educating. 

In his dealings with the business world, Mr. Davidson’s rugged 
honesty has earned for him the reputation, “his word is as good as 
his bond.” 


VICTOR DAVIDSON 

The compiler of this History was born December 20, 1889, the 
son of James Thomas and Martha (Hogan) Davidson (see other 
Davidson Sketches). His elementary education was acquired at 
the Manson School. From the age of sixteen to twenty he culti¬ 
vated the farm for his mother. In 1909 he entered Young Harris 
College, completing a six years course in three and receiving his 
Degree in 1912. For the next three years he served as Principal 
of a suburban school of Atlanta, during which time he attended 
the Atlanta Law School, receiving his LL.B. Degree in 1915, later 
taking a Post Graduate Course at Mercer University Law School. 
In January, 1916, he located at Irwinton and during that year was 
elected County School Superintendent which office he held until 
January 1, 1925, at the same time continuing his law practice. 

As County School Superintendent he originated a plan of school 
improvement which resulted in twenty new school buildings erected 
and well equipped: practically every child of school age in the 
county attending school; almost every teacher being either a 
Normal graduate or possessing similar qualifications. During the 
years he served a spirit of enthusiasm pervaded the schools to such a 
degree that Wilkinson County took front rank with the leading; 
counties of Georgia in the matter of educational progress. 

In 1925, he was appointed Solicitor of the County Court which 
office he still holds. 

As a lawyer, Mr. Davidson has a large and constantly increasing 
practice which keeps him actively employed; is Counsel for both 
banks of the county; for the Central of Georgia Railroad and 
other Corporations. Nothing pleases him better than handling 


498 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


intricate cases requiring careful discrimination and deep research 
in legal lore. 

He was married July io, 1920, to Edna Mae Nesbit. 

He is a member of the Irwinton Methodist Church; a Mason, 
having served two terms as Master of the Irwinton Lodge; Knight 
Templar; Shriner; Member Georgia Historical Society; State His¬ 
torian, S. A. R.; Historian and Charter Member, John Milledge 
Chapter, S. A. R. He likewise holds the record of being the first 
County Historian to be appointed by a Grand Jury in Georgia. 

He is a member of the Irwfinton Bar Association, the Georgia 
Bar Association and the Commercial Law League of America. 

Recognizing the incomparable historic background of Wilkin¬ 
son County it has been one of his life’s ambitions to publish a history 
of this county, to perpetuate in the printed word the story of a 
great people, a people hitherto “unknown to fame,” but whose 
deeds so richly merit the telling. He is also greatly interested in 
the history of the Creek Indians and has already prepared much 
material for a volume of Creek Indian history and Indian Chief¬ 
tain biography. 

(By a member of the family) 

MRS. VICTOR DAVIDSON 

Edna Nesbit, wife of Victor Davidson, daughter of Alexander 
H. and Sarah J. Nesbit (see their sketches) was born at Irwin¬ 
ton May 29, 1896. 

After attending Talmage Institute she entered G. S. C. W., at 
Milledgeville, taking both music and literary subjects, graduating 
in the latter in 1917. 

She was married July 10, 1920, to Victor Davidson, who was then 
serving as County School Superintendent, and assisted him with 
the duties in that office, keeping' the books and doing the clerical 
work. She taught the seventh grade and High School subjects in 
the Wilkinson County High School for several years. During the 
last few years she has been assisting her husband in his law office, 
meanwhile, finding time to make her home attractive and comfort¬ 
able. She spends a great deal of her time among her flowers. 

Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Baptist Church: Regent 
of the John Ball Chapter D. A. R., having contributed much to¬ 
wards the success attained by this Chapter. She is also serving as a 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


499 


member of the History Committee appointed to publish the Wil¬ 
kinson County History and has been active in raising funds for 
that purpose. She served for three years as President of the Robert 
Toombs Chapter, U. D. C. Among her ancestors are the John¬ 
stons, Vaughns, Smiths, Staples (who participated in the battle of 
Kettle Creek), Starke (who was a Colonel, Member Committee 
of Safety) Wyatt, Nesbit, Lindsey (who was an early settler of 
Wilkinson Co., see John W. Lindsey sketch). 

The compiler wishes to say that to Mrs. Davidson belongs much 
of the credit of the compiling of the History of Wilkinson County. 
She urged him to write it immediately after their marriage, assisted 
him in the collection of data, visited numerous libraries over the 
state with him copying whatever portions of data which were needed 
from books or newspapers which could not be borrowed. She has 
made many extracts from records which are included, has typed all 
the manuscript, assisted in the proof-reading and helped in every 
stage of the work. Without her assistance the compiler could not 
have carried on his law practice and at the same time prepared this 
book for publication. 

In her home life her unselfish devotion to her husband and 
mother is unexcelled. She likes to visit the aged and shut-ins. Her 
sunny disposition, her smiling good-natured greetings, her quick 
wit and ready repartee are excellent dispellers of gloom. She makes 
life brighter for everyone with whom she comes in contact. 

JOHN SEABORN DAVIS 

Thomas R. Davis, of English descent, the grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, came from North Carolina to Georgia in the 
early years of the 19th Century. He married Nancy Owens, of 
Scotch-Irish descent, (the daughter of William and Nancy (Dye) 
Owens; grand-daughter of Avery (1 753 _1 833) and Mary (1 755 ~ 
1827) Dye. Avery D3 7 e was a veteran of the Revolution). They 
settled on a farm near Hopewell Church in Burke County and 
reared a family of twelve children consisting of three daughters, 
Mahala, Mary, and Frances and nine sons, C. O., T. R., Jr., M. F., 
J. A., I. W., J. M., Josh, D. B., and B. A. His nine sons and 
three grandsons, except one grandson who died in service in Vir¬ 
ginia, served throughout the War Between the States and were 
honorably discharged at the end. About the year 1858, he, together 


500 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


with his entire family, with the exception of three sons, moved 
from Burke County to Mitchell County, where many of their de¬ 
scendants now live. (Information given bv John S. Davis). 

I. W. Davis, father of John S., together with two brothers, moved 
to Wilkinson Co. in 1858, where he married Sarah Ann Elizabeth 
Temples, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Almeta (Branan) 
daughter of James Branan, (see Caswell Branan sketch) Temples, 
1859. They reared a family of seven children, five of whom are 
now living, Mrs. Almeta Davis Pennington, Mrs. Janie Davis 
Carr, Mrs. Mary Davis Fountain, Josh B. Davis, and John S. 
Davis; two of whom are dead, Isaac T. Davis (died in 1908) and 
Mrs. Exie Davis Parker (died in 1913). I. W. Davis was a Ser¬ 
geant in Co. K. 57th Georgia Regiment. 

John S. Davis was born August 18, 1865, and after attending 
Mt. Carmel School, he graduated from Mercer University in 1893. 
He taught school for a few years and was admitted to the bar in 
1896. He married Clara F. Hatfield in 1895, who was the daughter 
of Richard E. and Ann (Fountain) Hatfield, daughter of James 
H. and Behethland (Jones) Fountain, Richard E. Hatfield was the 
son of Sam W. and Lucy Hatfield (see R. A. Bell sketch). Their 
children were: Clara Izetta, (graduated from G. S. C. W. Mill- 
edgeville in 1917; from Mercer University with B. S. Degree in 
1927; now principal and instructor in English in Melrose High 
School, Melrose, Florida) ; Willie Lee, (graduated at G. S. C. W. 
Milledgeville, in 1917, is now and has been for ten years Assist¬ 
ant Principal of the Wilkinson County High School, Irwinton, 
Ga.; Sarah Lucy, graduated at G. S. C. W. Milledgeville, 1921, 
died May 8, 1925; John Ellis and Jameson Grey, engaged in farm¬ 
ing on the plantation where John S. was born; James Cecil, stu¬ 
dent in Wilkinson County High School. 

Judge Davis served as Ordinary, 1917-1924; State Senator,. 
1911-T2, I929- J 30; County Solicitor, 1903-’15. 

Throughout his entire life he has taken a most prominent part 
in the political battles of Wilkinson County and has wielded for 
years a tremendous political power. 

Above all else, Judge Davis is a lawyer in the fullest sense of 
the word. Possessing a keen legal mind, a clarity of expression and 
force of argument, a most admirable knowledge of human nature, 
a strong memory, he drives home his contentions with telling effect 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


501 


whether he be addressing the court or the jury. His high sense of 
legal ethics has won for him the esteem of all members of the bar 
who know him, as well as the utmost confidence of the courts be¬ 
fore which he practices. Whether before a justice of the peace or 
before the highest tribunal, no one ever knew him to attempt to 
mislead a court in order to win his case. In his practice he is ever 
considerate of counsel, no matter if they be young and inexperienced 
who may be associated on the case with him. For opposing counsel 
he shows every possible courtesy, not inconsistent with the rights 
of his client. To violate an agreement made with opposing counsel 
whether oral or in writing is to him an unpardonable offense against 
legal ethics. 

Judge Davis is active in the management of the schools. During 
his terms as Senator he advocated and supported such bills as pro¬ 
mised the improvements of the common schools. Especially during 
the last session of the Senate did he advocate the passing of the Acts 
providing more funds. He is now serving as Chairman of the County 
Board of Education, which body has recently put on trial a system of 
consolidation of schools similar to that in effect in many of the 
most progressive counties of the State, while, at the same time re¬ 
ducing the outstanding indebtedness of the Board. He has also 
served as a member of the local school board of Irwinton for many 
years, (see Taliaferro Family by Judge L. W. Rigsby; for Dye 
lineage see National No. 197333, D. A. R.) 

FOUNTAIN—GARRETT—KNIGHT 
Prologue 

From the Fontaine Family, by Edward C. Meade, Albermarle 
E. Va-Rich. Times-Dispatch, Aug. 9, 1903, we have the following: 

“The original name ‘Fountain’ was evidently one of location; 
that is Jean de-la-Fontaine or John of the Fountain, living, as is 
supposed, near some noted fountain in the province; but the ‘de-la’ 
is a sign of nobility, so we find him in the King’s service during the 
reigns of Frances I, Henry II and Frances II, until Charles IX, 
when he resigned. The de-la was retained until about 1633, when 
it was dropped by his grandson, James, from motives of humility, 
under the persecution. 

“This Jean de-la Fontaine had two sons, James and Abraham. 


502 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


James died in 1633, leaving a son, James, born in 1628, who also 
left a son, James, born in 1658, and lived at Jenonville, France. 
This James (born 1658) became a Protestant preacher and, being 
persecuted for his faith, escaped from France in 1685. He married 
in 1686 Elizabeth Boursignot and settled in Bridgewater, England, 
but eventually moved to Dublin, Ireland, where he died. James 
Fontaine left six sons: James, Aaron, Peter, Moses, Francis and 
John, and two daughters, Mary Ann (or Molly), and Elizabeth. 

“The sons were seemingly of a roving disposition. James, the 
eldest, with his wife and child, emigrated to Virginia in 1717, set¬ 
tling in Henrico County. Aaron died in Ireland in 1699. Peter 
graduated in law in 1711, but was ordained as a minister in London 
in 1715, emigrated with his wife to Virginia in 1716. Moses became 
an engraver and settled in London. Frances also became a minister 
and emigrated with his wife about 1719, settling in King William 
County, Va. John, the youngest of the children, was the first to 
come to the new world. He landed in Massachusetts in 1714, and 
visited the country as far as Virginia. He then returned to England. 

“The Rev. Peter Fontaine had seven children: Peter, Moses, 
Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Aaron, and a daughter who married a 
Winston. It is from these Fontaines that the Fountains of North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are descended. The Fon¬ 
taines—Fountains have ever manifested a love for learning and 
culture and many of the name hold high rank in the professional 
world. They are characterized by a deep sense of religious tendency, 
and a love for liberty and justice. 

“The Arms of the de-la Fontaine family as brought over by Rev. 
Peter Fontaine are the same as found in the Heralds College, 
England, which are ornate and described as follows: “Argent, a 
fesse embattled between two elephants’ heads, rased with tusks 
depressed in Chief; in base three masted ship, with sails and pennant 
spread. The crest is an elephant’s head, rased, with tusks depressed’.” 

Among the pioneer families of Wilkinson County were Fountain, 
Garrett and Knight. 

The first by the name of Fountain in said county was Israel. The 
earliest official record we have of him is his witnessing a deed for 
land lot 241 in Wilkinson Countjr, Georgia (said lot now owned 
by the Allen family) in 1816, between Ethelred Fountain of Jeffer¬ 
son and David Ingram. It is interesting to note that three years 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


503 


previously Ethelred Fountain and Ellender Ingram had been mar¬ 
ried in Jefferson County. We presume that the thoughtful husband 
bought the aforesaid farm from his father-in-law and brought his 
homesick wife back to live. 

Israel Fountain was born about 1775. He married Delphia (called 
Welthy) Watkins (see later Watkins connections), and they lived 
for a time in South Carolina. The first of their children was born 
there. In about 1799, they came into the wilds of Georgia, bringing 
with them the story of Israel’s descent from the French Hugue¬ 
not Fontaines who were refugees into the colony of Virginia, thence 
into North Carolina; South Carolina and Georgia. In the early 
history of the family was one, Jacques, who was very distinguished, 
and whose memory is revered to this day by the descendants. 

In one branch of the family in North Carolina there were two 
sons, Francis and John. It was the custom of Francis Fontaine 
(Fountain) to keep a diary, and in 1754 there appears this entry: 
“John has married and we learn that he has married well.” An 
interesting bit of information, but about all that has been learned 
of John and his marriage—not even the name of his spouse. We have 
reason to believe, however, that John, brother of Francis, was the 
father of Israel Fountain of Wilkinson County, Georgia. 

Originally the name was “Fontaine” but after coming to America 
the Anglicized form “Fountain” was frequently used. An example 
of this variableness may be found in the family record of one Aaron 
“Fontaine.” The form “Fountain” appears six times in the eleven 
recorded. The following is quoted from “The Douglas Register of 
Virginia,” page 195: 

“(Record of Aaron Fontaine’s Family). 

“Mrs. Barbara Tyrel, Mrs. Fountain, was born Sept. 3, 1756. 

“Mr. Aaron Fontaine was born Nov. 30, 1753, and married 
May 19, 1773. P. 144- 

“Register of Mr. Aaron Fountain and Barbara Tyrryll, their 
children and family, Jan. 12, 1797. 

“Peter, born Dec. 15, 1774. 

“James Tyrel, Nov. 19, 1776. 

“Mary Anne, born Oct. 14, ’78. 

“Elizabeth, born Sept. 5, ’80. 

“Matilda, born Sept. 13, ’82. 

“Patsie Minor, Mar. 14, ’85. 


504 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


“Sallie Sarah, Mar. 17, ’87. 

“Mariah, Feb. 16, ’89. 

‘‘America, Mar. 10, ’91. 

“Will Maury, Jan. 16, ’93. 

“Barbara Ker, Dec. 25, ’94. 

“Ann Overton, Ap. 19, ’96. P. 144. 

“Aaron Fontaine and Barbara Terril, Patsy Minor, Mar. 14, 
1785. Baptized Ap. 16, 1785. P. 114. 

“Aaron Fountain and Barbara Terrill a child Sarah, Mar. 17, 
1787. Baptized Mar. 30, 1787. P. 118. 

“Aaron Fountain and Babie Tyrrel a child Moriah, Feb. 16, 
1789. Baptized Mar. 29, 1789. P. 122. 

“Aaron Fontaine and Barbara Terrell his wife and son born 16 
January 1793, Wm. Maury Fontaine. Baptized, 1793, Mch. 19. 
P. 127. 

“Aaron Fountain and Barbara Terrell a child Barbarah Carr, 
born 25 Dec. 1794. Baptized Mar. 5, 1795. P. 127. 

“Aaron Fountain and Barbarah Tyrrel a daughter, Ann Over- 
ton, born Ap. 19, 96. Baptized June 3, 1796. P. 127.” 

In the court records of Wilkinson County one hundred and 
fifty years later we find I. J. Fountain, a grandson of Israel Foun¬ 
tain, giving his official signature “Fontaine” and “Fountain” as he 
chanced to write it. 

Israel Fountain and his wife, “Welthy,” settled near Gordon, 
more importantly known at that time as Ramah Church. When 
Israel established his home in Wilkinson County he also built his 
school house. This location is marked now by a lone mulberry tree 
and a pile of bricks. He planted his orchards, cleared his fields, and 
acquired enough land to give a large plantation to each of his 
children as they married—and there were many portions to be 
given. 

Tradition says that Israel had sixteen children. If this is true, 
several must have died young, as his will (and records of Ramah 
Church) mentions only the names of eleven. 

Israel and Ethelred lived in the same community. When quite 
old they were spoken of in whispers by the great-grandchildren (sev¬ 
eral of whom are now living) as “Miserable” and “Dreadful” be¬ 
cause of their very severe, austere religious views which equaled 
those of our Puritan fathers. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


505 


Israel, his wife, “Wealthy,” and several of his children belonged 
to Ramah Church, one of the first Baptist Churches of Georgia. 

Israel died at the age of 92. His widow remained in the home 
until her death, which occurred shortly after the close of the war, 
at the age of 104 years (The house and plantation now belong to 
a great-grandson, Lewis Fountain). 

“Wealthy” was not alone in her old age. Her grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren eagerly took turns in staying with her. Very 
few of these “children” are living today, but sweet memories of 
“Grannie’s” enchanting apple orchard, her well-kept house, deli¬ 
cious cooking and gracious kindness, brighten their lengthening 
days. 

The children of Israel Fountain and his wife, Delphia Wat¬ 
kins, were: daughters—1. Keziah, 2. Elizabeth, 3. Hezikah, 4. 
Mary, 5. Sabrina; Sons: 6. William, 7. James, 8. Job, 9. Jackson, 
10. Lewis and 11. Mitchell. 

1. Keziah Fountain was born in 1799 in South Carolina, and 
was married to Enoch Garrett in 1820 in Wilkinson County, Ga., 
(see Garrett family). 

2. Elizabeth Fountain married Bartley Stevens and their chil¬ 
dren were James, Eliza, William, Mitchell, Mary Elizabeth, and 
Bartley G. Stephens. James Stevens married Elizabeth Lyster (sis¬ 
ter of Thomas Lyster, who was second husband of Sabrina (Foun¬ 
tain) Batchellar. James Stevens and wife, Elizabeth Lyster, had nine 
children, Margaret Elizabeth (Pace), Sarah Jane, William, Thom¬ 
as, Bartley, Lewis, Mary Anna, and Martha Caledoina. 

3. Hezekah (or whatever that almost illegible name may be) 
evidently married a Darden (from Ramah Church Roll). Her 
children were William, Bartlett, Elizabeth and Mary. 

4. Mary (Polly) Fountain married (1) a Nalus and (2) James 
Webb. There were children by both marriages, but we have the 
name of only one, Priscilla Webb. 

5. Sabrina, the youngest of the children of Israel and Delphia 
(Watkins) Fountain, was born in 1820. She married (1) John 
Bachellar; their children were John, Richard and Sarah Bachellar. 
Her (2) marriage was to Thomas Lyster. Names of Lyster children 
not traced. 

6. William Fountain married Elizabeth Budd. 

7. James Fountain married (1) a Miss McCarty and had sev- 


506 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


eral children. He married (2) Behethland (Bethel) Jones. It is 
through this marriage that the distinguished Judge Rigsby of Cairo, 
Georgia is connected with the Fountain family. James Fountain 
and many of his descendants are buried at Ramah Church. 

8. Job Fountain, not traced. 

9. Jackson Fountain married Rebecca Batchellar and they had 
several children. 

10. Lewis Fountain married Elizabeth Pickren and had several 
children. Some of their descendants live at Sycamore, Ga. 

11. Mitchell Watkins Fountain married (1) a Miss Pattisall 
(2) Marv Hannah Patterson, by this second marriage he had seven 
children; William Oscar, Lewis Jerusha, Dalonega Wilson, Martha 
Caroline, Mary Elizabeth, Columbus and Ivy Ann Sabrina. Of 
these, Lewis J. Fountain married (1) Blanche Fountain, and they 
had three children. He married (2) Martha or “Mattie” Patterson, 
a descendant of Thomas McGinty, Henry Castleberry and Benja¬ 
min Cooper, pioneer settlers of Wilkinson County. Rose, daughter 
of Lewis J. Fountain, married Thomas Dennard and they have a 
daughter. 

With the exception of Keziah, wife of Enoch Garrett, and Lewis 
Fountain, both of whom moved to Taylor County, Ga., about 1847, 
these children married and settled in Wilkinson County not far 
distant from the old home. Today their descendants are scattered 
over the entire United States, but many still remain as good citizens 
of their native county. 

Israel Fountain is buried in Ramah Church yard and Delphia, 
his wife, is buried in the Fountain cemetery about two miles from 
Gordon. 

As the South grows older, it treasures these fragments of informa¬ 
tion concerning its first staunch settlers, and so we add a thread to 
this tapestry of the past woven of fact and bits of folklore—the 
history of the Georgia branch of the Fontaines—Fountains. 
GARRETT 

The name Garrett is of Norman extraction, and we find it in 
England as early as the Ninth Century. We know that even then 
the Garretts were of a religious turn of mind for we find six of 
them being canonized as Saints; others took part in the reformation 
and in the Holy wars. 

Later we find that they have spread into all the British Isles. It 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


507 


is from the Irish branch that the Wilkinson and Taylor County 
Garretts are descended. 

The present day descendants run true to type to an amazing de¬ 
gree, being very blonde with typical Irish-blue eyes, genial natures, 
ready wit, and they give every evidence of having kissed the “blarney 
stone.” 


Sometime during the years 1809-1820 Jeremiah Garrett, with 
other members of his family, came into Wilkinson County, Georgia, 
from South Carolina. The family was, prior to that time, probably 
in North Carolina. 

Jeremiah’s first wife, Annie Miller, died in South Carolina, 
leaving ten children. All of them accompanied their father into 
Wilkinson County, where several of them married and lived for 
many years. Their names were: 1. Enoch, born 1795; 2. Elijah; 
3. Elisha; 4. John Israel; 5. Mary; 6. Tabitha; 7. Samuel; 8. Nancy 
Ann; 9. James; 10. Robert. 

Jeremiah Garrett did not live long in the county after his second 
marriage, which occurred August 15, 1822, to Mary King; he, with 
his wife and younger children, moved to Alabama, settling in Pike 
County on the Pee river. Several of his descendants are still to be 
found in that locality. 

In 1820 his eldest son, Enoch, married Keziah Fountaine, daught¬ 
er of Israel and Delphia (Watkins) Fountaine. 

Enoch lived in Wilkinson County until 1847, when he moved 
his family to Taylor County, Georgia. Noteworthy is the fact that 
he was given a land grant of 252 acres in Curry’s District, by 
Governor Troup. Tradition says this was for his services in the 
Indian war (Photostats of the original land grant are in the pos¬ 
session of his descendants). 

Mary Garrett married Jesse Brown. Samuel Garrett married 
Isabella Anderson in Stewart County near Weston (which was 
formerly called Hardmoney). James Garrett married Mary An¬ 
derson (sister of Isabella) and settled in Eufaula, Ala. Nancy Ann 
married John Brooks. These two lived in Alabama, but later moved 
to Texas. Their son, Rev. Jasper J. Brooks, is now living in Grap- 
land, Texas. Although nearing the century mark he distinctly re¬ 
members hearing his mother say that her father, Jeremiah Garrett, 
was killed by the Indians on the Pee River in Pike County, Alabama, 



HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


-50S 

The story goes that “Jerry,” leaving his plow-stock and pair of 
horses in the field, returned later to find them gone. Suspecting this 
to be the work of Indians, he obtained the assistance of neighbors 
to join in a search. The Indians, however, who were lying in am¬ 
bush, overpowered them. Jeremiah was scalped and his body pinned 
to a tree. 

The Garretts belonged to Myrtle Springs Primitive Baptist 
church in Wilkinson County. Enoch once acted as clerk in this 
church, and his wife, Keziah Fountain, joined it in 1841. The name 
Garrett occurs often on the old church records. Later, when Enoch 
and Keziah moved to Taylor County (about 1847), they moved 
their membership to Bethel Church, on whose rolls today we find 
many of their descendants, firm in the faith of their fathers. Others 
have, through intermarriage, affiliated with other denominations. 

Quoting from Mr. J. T. Garrett, of Charing (Taylor County), 
Georgia (1930) : 

“The proof I have of these statements concerning Jeremiah Gar¬ 
rett and his family is this: Dates, etc., are to be found in our family 
Bible; many things I have remembered, and others were told to me 
by my cousins, Rev. Jasper J. Brooks and Lura Garrett (daughter 
of Samuel Garrett and his wife, Isabella Anderson). Lura, who 
is doubly kin to me (having married my elder brother, Isaac Wil¬ 
liam), lived with her husband in Taylor County near her father- 
in-law and uncle, Enoch Garrett (my grandfather). Naturally she 
learned a great deal about the Garretts from both sides. 

Enoch and Keziah (Fountaine) Garrett’s children were: 1. 
John Israel Garrett married Gracy Stephens, daughter of John 
Stephens and his wife, Elizabeth Matthews, who were pioneer set¬ 
tlers of Wilkinson County (John Stephens was a Revolutionary 
soldier; also a veteran of the war of 1812. He and his wife are 
buried near Toomsboro, Georgia). 

John Israel and his wife, Gracy Stephens, moved to Taylor 
County, where John Israel served on the first jury drawn in the 
County. Their children were Keziah Elizabeth, who died young; 
Isaac William, who married Lura, daughter of Samuel Garrett; 
Marzelia, who married Frances Marion Purvis (deceased), lives 
in Taylor County now. James Thomas, who married Georgia Vir¬ 
ginia Woodall, lives in Charing, Georgia. John Enoch, who died 
young; Robert C. (deceased), who married Mary Stewart (she lives 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


509 


now in Taylor County, Ga) ; Henry Jasper, who married Lalah L. 
Woodall and lives at Charing, Georgia. 

John Israel Garrett was killed in the War Between the States 
and his widow, Gracy Stephens Garrett, married Toliver Daniel. 

2. Martha Keziah married Cornelius Bradley in Wilkinson and 
later moved to Taylor County, where they died. Of their eight 
children (all of whom lived in Taylor County) only two are now 
living: Matilda (Bradley) Grimes and Harriet (Bradley) Grimes. 

3. James Garrett married Elizabeth Hogan. He was killed in 
the Civil war, after which in 1870 his widow moved from Taylor 
County to Meridian, Mississippi, accompanied by her sons, Thomas, 
George, Henry and William Franklin. 

4. Elizabeth Garrett married (1) Joshua Cone; (2) Joshua 
Ellis. 

5. Nancy Caroline Garrett married (1) Anthony Lavender; (2) 
Nicodemus Ellis. 

6. Jesse Garrett married (1) Sarah Hilton; (2) Polly— : -. 

7. Sabrina Garrett married James Pearson. 

8. Enoch Garrett, Jr., married Mary Waters. 

9. Robert M. Garrett married Julia Barfield. He served 
throughout the War Between the States. 

10. Mary Ellen Garrett married George Knight (see Knight 
family). 

11. Samuel Garrett (died young). 

12. William Garrett (died young). 

Chart of Garrett Family 

The succeeding generations are designated by Roman numerals. 

I—Jeremiah Garrett, born about 1774, probably in North Caro¬ 
lina, married (1) Annie Miller in South Carolina about 
1794. He married (2) Mary King August 15, 1822, in Wil¬ 
kinson County, Ga. He died in Pike County, Alabama. 

Issue by first wife:— 

1. Enoch Garrett (q. v.). 

2. Elijah (not traced). 

3. Elisha, lived in Alabama (n. t.). 

4. John Israel (q. v.). 

5. Mary (q. v.). 

6. Tabitha (not traced). 

7. Samuel (q. v.). 



510 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


8. Nancy Ann (q. v.). 

9. James (q. v.). 

IO. Robert, lived in Texas (n. t.). 

II—1. Enoch Garrett, born 1795 in South Carolina, died October, 
1872, Taylor County, Ga. Married April 7, 1820, in Wil¬ 
kinson County, Ga., Keziah Fountain, born 1799, South 
Carolina; died 1876, Taylor County, Georgia. 

Issue:— 

1. John Israel. 

2. Martha Keziah. 

3. James. 

4. Elizabeth. 

5. Nancy Caroline. 

6. Jesse. 

7. Sabrina. 

8. Enoch, Jr. 

9. Robert M. 

10. Mary Ellen. 

11. Samuel (d. y.). 

12. William (d. y.). 

II—4. John Israel moved from Wilkinson County, Georgia, to 
Mississippi. Nothing further known of his family. 

II—5. Mary Garrett married Jesse Brown. 

Issue:—Not traced. 

II—7. Samuel Garrett married Isabella Anderson of Stewart 
County, Georgia. They died in Taylor County, Ga. 

Issue:— 

Lura. 

Eugene (he and family live at Lumpkin, Ga.). 

Warren (deceased—his family lives at Forsyth, Ga.). 
Samuel (deceased—his family lives at Fitzgerald, Ga.). 
William (he and family live in Florida). 

II—8. Nancy Ann Garrett married John Brooks, probably in Pike 
County, Ala. They died in Texas, where their descendants 
now reside. 

Issue:— 

Rev. Jasper Jeremiah Brooks of Texas. 

Martha, married Richard Cook. 

Robert, married. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


511 


William. 

James, married. 

A daughter, married-Barnum. 

A daughter, married-Ghee. 

II—9- James Garrett married Mary Anderson of Stewart County, 
Ga. They lived in Eufaula, Ala. 

Nothing further known. 

III— I. John Israel Garrett, born June io, 1823, Wilkinson 

County, died May 26, 1863, Taylor County, Ga. Married 
in Wilkinson County, December 24, 1846, Gracy Steph¬ 
ens, born March 5, 1825; died March 23, 1904, Taylor 
County, Ga. 

Issue:— 

1. Keziah Elizabeth (d. y.). 

2. Isaac William. 

3. Marzelia. 

4. James Thomas. 

5. John Enoch (d. y.). 

6. Robert C. 

7. Henry Jasper. 

Gracy Stephens Garrett married (2) July 29, 1865, 
Toliver Daniel. Issue: Mary E., born May 14th, 1866, 
married W. T. Cochran and had eight children, two of 
whom are Mrs. W. E. Elliston and Mrs. A. F. Harvey; 
both live at Rupert, Ga. 

IV— 2. Isaac William Garrett, born Dec. 14, 1850; married his 

cousin, Lura Garrett. 

Issue:—Dr. Eli Garrett, married Belle Gill, two children 
(VI) Mildred and Marie. 

Anna Belle, married E. B. Adams, three children (VI) 
Eugene, Raiford and Lucile. 

IV—3. Marzelia Garrett, born April n, 1853, married Frances 
Marion Purvis, Jan. 14, 1870. 

Issue:— 

1. John William Purvis (deceased). 

2. Feston R. Purvis. 

4. Leonard Lee Purvis. 

5. Paris W. Purvis. 

6. Walter Purvis. 




512 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


V—i. John William Purvis married Texas Virginia Moore. 
Issue:— 

Leila Mae, married (i) Wilson Hall (2) Dan P. Jones 
of Columbus, Ga. 

Lula Irene, married Carl Cato Colbert of Columbus, 
Ga.; two children (VII) Katherine Virginia and 
Ralph Cato. 

Eva, married Ulric F. King, three children (VII) Jim¬ 
mie, Anne Virginia and Leah Marie. 

Marion Eugene. 

James Munroe, married Elizabeth Wilson, two children 
(VII) Elizabeth Wilson and Ben Anderson. 

V—2. Feston R. Purvis, married Jessie Watson. 

Issue:—Frances, Lorenza, Estelle, Mary, Mildred. 

V—3. Lessie Purvis, married Walton Watson. 

Issue:—Several children (not traced). 

V—4. Leonard Lee Purvis, married (1) Mrs. Texas Virginia M. 
Purvis (brother’s widow); no issue. Married (2) Alice 
Morgan. They live in Columbus, Ga. 

Issue:—Minnie Lee, Elizabeth, Leonard, David. 

V—5. Paris W. Purvis, married Docia Moore. 

Issue:—Wilmer, Douglas, Gracy, James, Marvin and 
Lillian. 

V—6. Walter Purvis, married Dora Weeks. 

Issue:—Several children (not traced). 

IV—4. James Thomas Garrett, born Sept. 3, 1855, married Dec. 
22, 1878, George Virginia Woodall, born July 23, 1863, 
in Marion County. 

Issue:— 

1. Dr. John Abner Garrett of Meigs, Thomas Co., Ga. 

2. George Oscar Garrett. 

3. Robert Lester Garrett. 

4. Simms Garrett. 

5. Mary Elizabeth Garrett. 

6. William Riley Garrett. 

7. Gracy Jewel Garrett (deceased). 

8. Luther Garrett (deceased). 

V—1. Dr. John Abner Garrett, married Muriel Eva Fauche. 
They live in Meigs, Ga. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


513 


Issue:— 

Earnest Garrett (married and has two children (VII) 
Ann and Earnest, Jr.). 

Claudia Garrett, married Jasper Williams of Sylvester, 
Ga., and has one child (VII), Jasper Williams, Jr. 

V—2. Oscar Garrett married Ouida Fouche. They live in Al¬ 
bany, Georgia. 

Issue:—Lenwood and George. 

V—3. Lester Garrett married Jane Terry. 

Issue:—Leelius, James, Billie, Willis, Emily. 

(VI) Leelius Garrett married Effie Kilcrease and they- 
have one child (VII), Norma Gracie Kilcrease. 

V—4. Simms Garrett married Chary Adell Lucas. 

Issue:—Simms, Jr., and Myrtice. 

(VI) Myrtice Garrett married Joe Carter Burgin. They 
have a son (VII) Joe Carter Burgin, Jr. 

V—5. Mary Elizabeth Garrett married her distant cousin, Rob¬ 
ert Lee Fountain. 

Issue:—Luther, Hoke, Jack, Robert. 

(VII) Jack Fountain married Jewel Moulton and they 
have one child (VII) Mary Virginia. 

V—6. William Riley married (1) Ruth Stewart, (2) Ruth 
Jordan. They live at Charing, Ga. 

Issue by first marriage:— 

Sarah, who married Bernice Alexander Brigman. 

IV—6. Robert C. Garrett, born Feb. 14, i860, married Mary 
F. Stewart, Dec. 2, 1878. 

Issue:—Eight children and sixteen grandchildren. 

IV—7. Henry Jasper Garrett, born Nov. 25, 1862, married Jan. 
14, 1886, Lalah L. Woodall. They live in Charing, Ga. 
Issue:— 

1. Oriska Lorena. 

2. Thomas, born Aug. 6, 1888, died Jan. 19, 1889. 

3. Mamie C. 

V—1. Oriska Lorena Garrett married Robert Fouche. 

Issue:—(VI) Oriska Christine married Harvey Lee Mc- 
carty. 

V—3. Mamie C. Garrett married Lee S. Mills. 

Issue:—(VI) Verna Lee Mills. 


514 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


III—2. Martha Keziah married Cornelius Bradley. 

Issue:— 

Elijah (killed in war) Rebecca (married-Gray). 

James (killed in war) Keziah Eunice (married Robert 
Anglin (killed in war). 

Eli (killed in war) Matilda (married - Grimes). 

Caroline (married Jesse Harriet (married-Grimes). 

Shinholster). 

Ill—3. James Garrett married Elizabeth Hogan. 

Issue:—Thomas (n. t.) ; Henry (n. t.) ; George (n. t.) ; 
William Franklin (n. t.). 

Ill—4. Elizabeth Garrett married (1) Joshua Cone, (2) Joshua 
Ellis. 

Issue:—Fannie (deceased). 

III— 5. Nancy Caroline Garrett married Anthony Lavender. 

Issue:— 

1. Keziah Elizabeth Savannah. 

2. Alice Susan Augusta. 

3. William Charleston. 

4. Wiley Rabun New Hampshire. 

5. Frances Harriet. 

6. Emma Ann Marzelia. 

7. Louise Ellen (d. 3^.). 

8. Mary Ann Rebecca. 

IV— 1. Keziah Elizabeth Savannah Lavender married Solomon 

DeLoach. 

Issue:—Seven children (not traced). 

IV—2. Alice Susan Augusta Lavender married William Thomas 
Gilbert. 

Issue:—An adopted son, Robert Morgan. 

IV—3. William Charleston Lavender married Elizabeth Sophronia 
Campbell. 

Issue:— 

1. Charles Leonard Lavender. 

2. Wiley Preston Lavender. 

3. Nancy Augusta Lavender. 

4. William Horace Lavender. 

5. Florence Eldora Lavender. 

6. John Thomas Lavender (d. y.). 





HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


515 


7. Clifford Leo Lavender (d. y.). 

V—I. Charles Leonard Lavender married Cuni Graham. 

Issue:— 

Nita Leo (deceased). 

Harma Rexford married Kathleen Pate (one child (VII) 
Kathleen). 

Gladys Lavera married Jack Gaylord. 

V—2. Wylie Preston Lavender married Mary Ellen Hicks. 
Issue:— 

Hicks Rexford (deceased). 

Lorenza (deceased). 

Verna (deceased). 

Goldie (married Sarge Plant) issue (VII) Denton, 
Katherine, Jack, Mary Ellen, Robert Plant). 

V—3. Nancy Augusta Lavender married Manuel Faulkner. 

No issue. 

V—4. William Horace Lavender married Minnie Lee Gresham. 
Issue:— 

Paul Anthony (deceased), Curtis, Clyde, Vera Beatrice, 
Ruth. 

V—5. Florence Eldora Lavender married Thomas Henry Povner. 
Issue:— 

Lena Augusta (deceased), Florence Ottis, William 
Theodore (deceased), Frances Elizabeth. 

IV—4. Wiley Raburn New Hampshire Lavender married (1) 
Nettie Jernigan, two children; (2) married Cassandra 
Taylor, nine children; (3) married Mary Elizabeth Pep¬ 
pers, two children. 

Issue by first marriage:— 

1. Alice Lavender. 

2. Pearl Lavender. 

Issue by second marriage:— 

3. Robert (deceased). 

4. Myrtle Lavender. 

5. Goldie Lavender. 

6. Verna Lavender. 

7. Kate Lavender. 

8. Maud Lavender. 

9. Walter Lavender. 


516 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


10. Frances (deceased). 

11. Durwood Lavender. 

Issue by third marriage:— 

12. Mary Emma. 

13. Curtis Lee. 

V—1. Alice Lavender married Alex Roberts. 

Issue:—Roscoe, Fay, Pearl, Lena. 

V—2. Pearl Lavender married Thomas Moore. 

Issue:—Thomas, Jack, Nell, Perry, Ruth (deceased), 
Eunice (deceased). 

V—4. Myrtle Lavender married Veto Giglio. 

Issue:—Paul, Louie, Roy. 

V—5. Goldie Lavender married Andrew Howell. 

Issue:—Thurmond Howell. 

V—6. Verna Lavender married Thomas Lane. 

Issue:—Ruth, Ralph, Sarah, Myrtle, Frank (deceased), 
Maude, Kate. 

V—7. Kate Lavender married Charles Webb. 

Issue:—Harry, John, Veto, Alto. 

V—8. Maud Lavender married Joseph Abner. 

Issue:—Douglas Abner. 

V—9. Walter Lavender married Flora Levy. 

Issue:—Wallace and Joseph. They live in New York. 

IV—5. Frances Harriet Lavender married Dude DeLoach. 

Issue:—Bessie and Jessie (twins), Frances, Charles. 

IV—6. Emma Anne Marzelia Lavender married her step-father’s 
son, Nicodemus Ellis. 

Issue:—Gracy, Edward, Susan (married Dan Copeland).* 
IV—8. Mary Anne Rebecca Lavender married (1) Freeman 

Young, (2) -Howard. 

Issue by first marriage:— 

Lorenza, married and has two children (VII) Freeman 
and William. 

Mary Anne (deceased). 

Ill—6. Jesse Garrett married (1) Sarah Helton, (2) Polly-. 

Issue:—Jesse (deceased) Albert (deceased). 

Ill—7. Sabrina Garrett married James Pearson. 

Issue:—Augusta, married Berry Edwards and died with¬ 
out issue. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


517 


Dora (deceased). 

Emma, married (i) William Newsome, (2) William 
Quick. 

Mittie, married William Preddy and had three children 
(V) William, Margaret and Emma. 

HI—8. Enoch Garrett, Jr., married Mary Waters. 

Issue:— 

Etta (n. t.). 

Clifford (n. t.). 

John (n. t.). 

Ill—9- Robert M. Garrett married Julia Barfield. 

Issue:—Jeremiah (d. y.). 

Other children not traced. 

Ill—10. Mary Ellen Garrett married George Knight. 

(See Knight family). 


KNIGHT 

INTRODUCTION 


The word brings to mind the colorful panorama of the middle 
ages with its brilliant tournaments, pageants and wars in which 
each Knight displayed his valor courageously for his sovereign and 
his lady. Verifying somewhat this picture which suggests the ro¬ 
mance of the past we quote the following from English Surnames, 
by Charles Wareing Bardsley, page 199 : 

“The name Knight is Anglo-Norman, and takes us back to the 
time when sons of those ‘Knights’ bore, as the name implies, their 
shields. By the time of Henry VI, however, it had become adapted 
by the heirs of the higher gentry. Those who are so surnamed may 
comfort themselves at any rate with the reflection that they are 
lineally descended from those who bore the name when it was an 
honorable and distinctive title.” 


The first representative of the family of Knight in Wilkinson 
County was Robert. We find that in 1821 Robert Knight was the 
administrator of the estate of John U. Shinholtzer, and, as in later 
years we find sons of John Shinholtzer addressing George, son of 
Robert Knight as “Uncle George,” we suppose that their mother 
was a daughter of said Robert. 

We depend almost wholly upon family tradition for our informa¬ 
tion regarding Robert Knight. The story goes that Robert, his wife 




518 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Ailey, and his brother, George, came from North Carolina and lived 
for a time in Wilkinson County where Robert, who was a skilled 
gold and silver smith, owned and operated a metallic shop. Later 
Robert, his wife, Ailey, and his two daughters, Ailey Jenifer or 
“Jinsy,” and Nancy returned to North Carolina leaving his two 
sons, George and Thomas and his brother, George, in Wilkinson 
County, Ga. 

George Knight was born 1820 and married 1845 in Wilkinson 
County, Mary Ellen Garrett, daughter of Enoch and Keziah (Foun¬ 
tain) Garrett. They were members of Myrtle Springs Primitive 
Baptist Church. About two years after their marriage, they, with 
many of their relatives, Fountains, Garrets and Thomas Knight 
(bachelor brother of George), moved to Taylor County, Ga., where 
George lived on his plantation which adjoined that of his father- 
in-law, Enoch Garrett, until after the close of the civil war (about 
fifteen years) ; here George built his home and school house, often 
conducting the school himself. These were the happiest days the 
little family ever knew surrounded as they were by friends and 
relatives. Bethel Church, which was built in the primeval forest, 
was just one-half mile from their home. The Fountains, Garretts 
and Knights were devout members of Bethel Church, and George, 
being an elder, took an active part in the work of this church. 

George and his brother Thomas served in the confederate army, 
enlisting almost at the first of the war. Thomas was killed in battle; 
George was wounded in his right leg (which later had to be am¬ 
putated) and was sent home on sick parole. He served the confed¬ 
erate cause later by running a ferry and a grist mill. 

After the war a period of hard times was experienced by the 
family. George, being crippled, was unable to carry on farm labor 
after the slaves were freed, so he sold his home and plantation to 
Jim Bartlett and lived for a time in each of these counties, Crawford, 
Munroe and back to Taylor. His last move was into Upson County, 
to be near his son, James Thomas, who was a planter and general 
merchant at Pound, Ga. 

George Knight was an honest, earnest Christian, honored by 
all who knew him. He and his wife are buried in the Flint River 
Cemetery in Upson County, Georgia. They had three daughters 
and three sons, namely: 1. Martha Ann Missouri; 2. Nancy Keziah 
Ellender; 3. Ailey Elizabeth; 4. James Thomas; 5. Enoch Iverson; 
and 6. Jesse Bartow. 4. James Thomas moved to Columbus, Georgia, 
the year of the gold panic (1892). Here he and his son, James Bar¬ 
tow, later engaged in the scrap material business. Since the father’s 
death in 1911, the business has been carried on by his sons, James 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


519 


Bartow and Enoch Jacques under the original name of “J. T. Knight 
and Son.” Today it is the largest business of its kind in the South 
operating plants in Columbus, Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia and 
Birmingham, Alabama. The Atlanta branch is under the manage¬ 
ment of Hardin Thomas Herndon (husband of Jewel Estelle 
Knight) and his partner, Gary Luttrell, under the name “Knight- 
Luttrell Iron Company.” The Savannah branch is run by a younger 
son, Walter Douglas Knight and his associate, Murray Bailey Hoff¬ 
man, under the name of “Knight Scrap Material Co.” 

6. Jesse Bartow, after his marriage, lived in Columbus, Georgia, 
for about twenty years. He studied law, then later gave it up and 
went into partnership with his nephew, James Bartow Knight. 
Afterwards he moved to Birmingham where he operated the branch 
of business known as “Knight Iron and Metal Company.” Since 
his death in 1924, the business has been under the management of 
his son, Jesse Thomas. 

Of these six grandchildren of Robert Knight, only one, Martha 
Ann Missouri (Mrs. D. M. Kennedy), is now living. She is eighty- 
four years old. She remembers her Uncle Thomas, who lived with 
them, and was killed in the war, but can’t recollect ever having seen 
her great uncle, George Knight. She remembers her handsome 
grandfather, Enoch Garrett, and her still more handsome great 
grandmother, “Dellsie” Fountain, who visited her children in Taylor 
County about 1862, although Delphia (Watkins) Fountain was in 
her nineties, she was slim and erect, with piercing black eyes and 
snow white hair. She simply glowed with vitality and was charming 
beyond words. Her daughter Keziah (Fountain) Garrett paled into 
insignificance beside her. “Kizzie” was short and plump with medium 
colored hair and eyes. 

Only the descendents of two of the six grandchildren of George 
Knight have been traced down to the present day. These descendants 
are indeed worthy representatives of the sturdy stock from which 
they came. The French Huguenot Fontaines—Fountains; the Irish 
Garretts and the English Knights. 

CHART OF KNIGHT FAMILY IN GEORGIA 

Succeeding generations marked by Roman numerals, 

I—1. George and 2. Robert of North Carolina. 

1. George came to Georgia about 1818 (not traced). 

2. Robert Knight of North Carolina married Ailey-, 

they came to Wilkinson County, Ga., about 1818. 

Issue:— 

1. Ailey Jenifer (not traced). 



520 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


2. Nancy (N. T.). 

3. George (Q. V.). 

4. Thomas (killed in war). 

II—3. George Knight, born in 1820 in Wilkinson Co., Ga., died 
June 26, 1883, in Upson Co., Ga., married Nov. 15, 1845, 
in Wilkinson County, Ga., Mary Ellen Garrett, born 1829, 
in Wilkinson Co., Ga., died Nov. 5, 1875, in Upson Co., Ga. 
Issue:— 

1. Martha Ann Missouri, married Daniel M. Kennedy, 
No Issue. 

2. Nancy Keziah Ellender, married William Cochran, 
Issue:— 

Thomas (N. T.). 

3. Ailey Elizabeth, married James Chambley, Issue: 
Jenifer, (N. T.); Elizabeth (N. T.); Leslie (N. T.). 

4. James Thomas (Q. V.). 

5. Enoch Iverson, married Isador Davidson. 

Issue:— 

George, John, Alvah, Clarence, Henry (deceased), and 
Jesse James. None of these have been traced.). 

6. Jesse Bartow (Q. V.). 

Ill—4. James Thomas, born June 3, 1853, in Taylor County, Ga., 
died March 11, 1910, in Columbus, Ga., married (1) Nancy 
Elizabeth Waller, born Oct. 22, 1855, in Upson Co., Ga., 
died April 10, 1898, in Columbus, Ga., (2) married Dec. 12, 
1899, in Phenix City, Ala., Carolina Susan Blanchart, 
born Aug. 8, 1866. 

Issue:—By first wife:— 

1. Margaret Leona (deceased) married Andrew W. 
Douglas, No issue. 

2. Robert C. (died young). 

3. James Bartow (Q. V.). 

4. Martha Belle (Q. V.). 

5. Henry Edward (deceased). 

6. Enoch Jacques (Q. V.) 

7. Jewel Estelle, married Hardin Thomas Herndon of 
Rome, Ga., they lived in Atlanta, Ga. No issue. 

Issue by second wife:— 

8. Ruth Irene, married William Henry Atkinson of 
Halifax, Australia, they lived in Columbus, Ga. No 
issue. 

9. Walter Douglas, married Nell Williams Andrews, they 
live in Savannah, Ga. Nb issue. 

10. Harry Exton, unmarried, lives in Columbus, Ga. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


521 


IV—3. James Bartow Knight, born Nov. 17, 1882 in Upson Co., 
Ga., married Jan. 17, 1906, in Waverly, Ala., Lee Co., Adah 
Reuben Hoffman, born Dec. 25, 1888, in Waverly, Ala. They 
live in Columbus, Ga. 

Issue:— 

1. Theresa (Q. V.) 

2. Evelyn Westmoreland. 

3. Kathlyn (died young). 

4. Elizabeth Isabella. 

5. James Bartow, Jr. 

6. Walter Thomas (D. Y.). 

V—1. Theresa Knight married Frederick W. Dismuke of Co¬ 
lumbus, Ga. 

Issue:— 

(VI) Theresa Knight Dismuke. 

IV—4. Martha Belle Knight, born Aug. 17, 1885, in Upson Co., 
Ga., married Nov. 21, 1905 Culver Vivian Palmer, born 
April 1,1888, in Muscogee Co., Ga. 

Issue:— 

Myra Elizabeth Palmer (died young). 

James Thomas Palmer. 

Culver Vivian Palmer, Jr. 

Ruby Palmer. 

Dorothy Palmer. 

Pauline Palmer. 

Estelle Knight Palmer. 

IV—6. Enoch Jacques Knight, born Sept. 21, 1890, in Upson Co., 
Ga., married Nov. 26, 1914, at Alexander City., Ala., Alta 
Ethel Steverson, born Feb. 1, 1894, in Kellyton, Ala., 
Coosa Co. 

Issue:— 

Rebecca. 

John Steverson. 

Ill—6. Jesse Bartow Knight, born Dec. 24, 1862, in Taylor Co., 
Ga., married Oct. 2, 1884, in Columbus, Ga. Frances Keith 
Howard, born July 8, 1868. Jesse Bartow Knight, died in 
Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 18, 1924. All of his children, ex¬ 
cept Mrs. W. H. Baker reside in that city. 

Issue:— 

1. George William (Q. V.). 

2. Ethel (Q. V.). 

3. Jesse Thomas (Q. V.). 

4. Robert Bartow (Q. V.). 


522 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


5. Durward Howard (Q. V.). 

6. John Mason (unmarried). 

7. Mary Frances (Q. V.). 

8. Mabel (died young). 

9. Dr. Julius Hurley Knight, married Rachel Jane Bur- 
bridge (No issue). 

10. Della Louise (unmarried). 

11. Hon. Andrew Hendrix Knight, married Julia Finklea 
(No issue). 

12. Margaret Lena (Q. V.). 

IV—1. George William Knight, married Frances Feroni An¬ 
drews. 

Issue:— 

Lucile (D. Y.). 

Eunice, married H. Lee Waldron, one child. 

(VI) Frances Pearl. 

William. 

Keith. 

Della. 

George. 

Martha. 

IV—2. Ethel Knight, married (1) James Jackson Jones (2) Wil¬ 
liam Hunter Baker. 

Issue:—By first marriage:— 

James Knight Jones. 

Ermine Keith Jones. 

Issue by second marriage:— 

William Hunter Baker, Jr. 

Martha Eugenia Baker. 

IV—3. Jesse Thomas Knight married Fannie Mills. 

Issue:— 

Christine married Edward Thompson, one daughter (VI). 
Christine. 

Mildred. 

Virginia. 

Edith. 

Russell. 

Jesse Thomas, Jr. 

Marion. 

IV—4. Robert Bartow Knight married Zella Anderson Parker. 
Issue:— 

Robert Alonza. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


523 


Sarah Frances. 

Harold Parker. 

IV—5. Durward Howard Knight married Hazel Frances Craw¬ 
ford. 

Issue:— 

Durward Howard, Jr. 

Frank Edward (D. Y.). 

IV—7. Mary Frances Knight married Herman Lee Bradley. 
Issue:— 

Martha Frances Bradley. 

Edith Ermine Bradley. 

IV—1,2. Margaret Lena married Earl Allen Barks. 

Issue:-— 

Peggy Anne Barks. 

(Written by Ruby H. Knight (Mrs. J. B.) largely from genealogi¬ 
cal data supplied by Miss Martha Lou Houston). 

MRS. ANNIE TARPLEY FREEMAN 

Mrs. Annie (Tarpley) Freeman; wife of W. L. Freeman, who 
is a prominent apiarist and farmer; daughter of Thomas Mason 
Tarpley (b. 1848, d. 1926, excellent mechanic and farmer; lived 
for a time at Marshallville, Ga.; in 1884 returning to his farm 
near Toomsboro; for several years Supt. Sunday School at Poplar 
Head; agricultural statistician; a faithful and conscientious mem¬ 
ber of the Methodist Church, a noble husband and father) and 
Leanda (Van Landingham), b. 1854; a woman of a most lovable 
character and sweet disposition. 

Grand-daughter of Edward Jones Tarpley, Jr., (b. 1816 in Va., 
removed with father to Irwinton in 1834; Methodist Class leader 
14 years; Sunday School teacher and asst. Supt. many years; me¬ 
chanic; built Poplar Springs M. E. Church in 1859; upon his death 
in 1866, the Quarterly Conference passed and published resolutions 
of sorrow), and Ann (McRaney) Tarpley (b. 1820, d. 1897) 
and W. R. and Sarepta (Horn) Van Landingham, of German 
nobility descent). 

Great-grand daughter of Edward Jones Tarpley, Sr. (b. in 
Brunswick Co. Va., 1765. Was Captain in War of 1812, and also 
in an Indian War; his sword engraved “1812” is owned by his 
great-great grand-son, John Rolfe Tarpley. He led the Virginia 
forces in 1830 which broke the “Southampton Insurrection” and 


524 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


captured the notorious negro leader, Nat Turner, receiving a re¬ 
ward of $500.00 from the Governor of Va. for his services. Owned 
land where Masonic cemetery now is, d. Irwinton, 1850) and 
Mary (Manson) Tarpley, who was the great-great-great-grand¬ 
daughter of Pocahontas, the Indian princess (family tradition) and 
of Norman McRaeny (b. 1790, on Isle of Sky, migrated to N. C. 
and from there to Irwinton in his young manhood, a school teacher 
by profession, Surveyor, Tax Receiver, and prominent in the public 
life of the county; lived across the road opposite the J. H. Simpson 
home) and Catherine McRaeny b. 1791 in Robison Co. N. C. 

Mrs. Freeman is one of the most active church women of the 
county, still carrying on the work of her Methodist forbears, a mem¬ 
ber of the church her grand-father built. She is interested in schools 
and everything that is for the public welfare. With no children of 
her own, she and her husband adopted two orphans upon whom 
they lavished their love, one of these, Agnes, graduated as a trained 
nurse with first honors. Mrs. Freeman is indeed a worthy descend¬ 
ant of an honorable lineage. 

Other members of this family who have attained prominence is 
her brother, W. E. Tarpley, Sheriff of Lee Co., Ga.; a nephew Rev. 
Elmo Tabb, well known Methodist Missionary to Africa. 

DR. THOMAS.GIBSON 

Dr. Gibson was born in Warrenton, Georgia, in 1821. He was 
the son of Judge and Mrs. William Gibson, who was ordinary of 
Warrenton County for thirty odd years. Judge Gibson was the fa¬ 
ther of six sons who became noted in their professions. Three of 
them were lawyers and three of them were doctors. 

One of his sons, Judge William C. Gibson, was colonel of the 
44th Georgia regiment, made up at Augusta, and fought through 
the War Between the States. He afterwards became Judge of the 
Superior Court of the Augusta Circuit and was a noted jurist. 

Another son, Col. Obediah Cranford Gibson, was colonel of the 
63rd Georgia regiment, made up at Griffin. He was connected with 
Linton Stevens in the practice of law. 

Another son, Dr. Sterling Gibson, was a successful practicioner 
of Warrenton. 

Another son, Dr. Cicero Gibson, one of the most beloved physi- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


525 


cians in Georgia, a Methodist preacher, and a successful practi- 
cioner. 

Another son, Colonel John Gibson, who settled with Dr. Thom¬ 
as Gibson in 1841 in Irwinton and finally moved to Texas, where 
he became colonel of the Texas rangers, and his son, Quinton Gib¬ 
son, who fought with him through the war, was killed in about the 
last battle of the war at Altonia. 

Dr. Thomas Gibson practiced one year at Irwinton and then 
moved to the edge of Twiggs, Wilkinson, and Jones where for 66 
years, he had one of the largest practices of any physician in Geor¬ 
gia. His first wife was a Miss Bragg of Wilkinson county, daugh¬ 
ter of a large slave holder. No children were born of this union. 
His second wife was the daughter of Mr. James Balkcom, one 
among the largest planters in Twiggs county. From that union 
were five children. The oldest, J. S. Gibson, though blind from 
birth, was an honor graduate of the University of Georgia of one of 
the largest classes of the seventy’s. One daughter, who married Dr. 
A. Mathis of Sandersville, and was a graduate of a college in 
Washington City. 

Dr. W. C. Gibson was a noted surgeon of his day and was ed¬ 
ucated in Germany and died in Macon thirty-two years ago. 

Another son, Thomas Gibson, was one of the most trusted en¬ 
gineers of the Central Railroad until his death. 

Another son, Dr. O. C. Gibson, has been County Physician of 
Bibb county for the last thirty years, and is now. 

Dr. Thomas Gibson lived and was active, practicing until he was 
eighty-six years old, and died at the home he had lived in for sixty- 
five 5 ? ears. 

(By Dr. O. C. Gibson) 

GIFFORD-GAY FAMILY 

Allen Gay, Revolutionary Soldier, was at one time a resident of 
Wilkinson County, Georgia. Records show that he and his second 
wife, Aibgail Castleberry, were among the constituted members 
of Ramah Baptist Church near Gordon. The families of the Gays, 
Eadys, and Castleberrys were among those who organized this 
church about 1809. Allen Gay was born in Northampton County, 
North Carolina, in 1765, and died in Coweta County, Georgia, 


526 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


June 18, 1847, having settled there in the early twenties. He served 
in the Revolutionary War in Captain Robert Raiford’s Company, 
Colonel Dickson’s North Carolina Regiment, enlisting at the age 
of 16, June 3, 1781, and discharged May, 1782. Allen Gay was 
the son of John Thomas Gay, of North Carolina. Thomas aided in 
the struggle for independence by furnishing money and by receipt¬ 
ing for the pay of his two minor sons, Joshua and Allen. His eldest 
son, John, also fought in the Revolutionary War. Thomas Gay is 
known in history as the Patriot. Allen Gay served in General 
Green’s Army under General Francis Marion at Eutaw Springs, 
S. C., where he, Allen Gay, captured five enemy prisoners single 
handed. After the war ended Allen came to Georgia to live. While 
still a youth he married Celia Rae Elbert of Savannah. They were 
married in South Carolina, where they lived until Celia died, leaving 
three small children. Celia Rae Elbert was the daughter of Samuel 
Elbert and his wife, Elizabeth Rae Elbert. Samuel Elbert was one 
of Georgia’s most illustrious sons, distinguishing himself as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of Major General. 

While Governor of Georgia, General Elbert signed the Charter 
for the University of Georgia. He founded the Society of the Cin¬ 
cinnati in Georgia whose membership was composed of American 
and French officers who fought for American Independence. General 
Elbert took a most important part at York Town. After the death 
of his wife, Celia, Allen Gay once more lived in Georgia, finally 
settling in Coweta County. He lies buried at Macedonia Baptist 
Church Yard near Newnan. A number of years ago his tomb was 
marked by the Sarah Dickinson Chapter, D. A. R. of Newnan. 
Allen Gay’s second wife was Abigail Castleberry and they had 
several children. His third wife was Mrs. Anne Benton of Henry 
County, Ga., whom he married in 1824. She survived him. Allen 
and Celia’s eldest child, John Willia.m, married Margaret Eady in 
1807. She was the daughter of John Eady who came from Ireland. 
He was a wealthy planter on the Oconee River in Wilkinson County 
and was the owner of many slaves, having brought wealth to this 
county with which to buy slaves as some old records show. He is 
said to have fought in the Revolutionary War. His son, Henry 
Eady, married Elizabeth Gay, Allen’s daughter. These Gays are 
claimed to have descended from Pocahontas, the Indian princess, 
through descent from Dr. William Gay and Elizabeth Boling Gay 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


527 


of Chesterfield County, Va. The names of Pocahontas and Pow¬ 
hatan being numbered among the Kentucky branch of his family. 
Among the children of John William Gay and Margaret was 
Francis McDaniel Gay who married Simeon Walker Kilgore. 
She was his second wife. Their eldest son, Simeon, Jr., at the age 
of 17, enlisted in the Confederate Army and was killed at the 
Battle of Shiloh. 

Simeon Walker Kilgore built and maintained, at his own expense, 
shops at his home in Alabama where he had work done for the 
Confederate Army, such as making heavy wagons and equipment. 
He was the grandson of Colonel Benjamin Kilgore of Charleston, 
S. C., of Revolutionary fame. Simeon and Francis Kilgore’s second 
son, John William, as a little boy, worked in his father’s shop for 
the Southern cause. John William married Sarah Awtry, daughter 
of Abram Awtry of Alabama, a Confederate soldier. Martha Scar¬ 
borough Kilgore, daughter of John William and Sarah Awtry Kil¬ 
gore, married James Ernest Osgood Gifford, son of a Confederate 
soldier and grandson of two Confederate soldiers. Their children 
are Martha Odessa Gifford, graduate of Carnegie Library School 
of Atlanta, Ga., now Assistant Librarian at Georgia School of 
Technology; James Ernest Kilgore Gifford, who as a high school 
student enlisted and served in the World War, 16th Co., 4th Me¬ 
chanic Reg. Air Service. After returning from France he studied 
architecture at Georgia School of Technology. Also served an en¬ 
listment in Georgia National Guard as non-commissioned officer. 
On July 20, 1928, he was married to Miss Eleanor Frasier Jenkins, 
of Charleston, S. C. She was the daughter of Major Micah Jenkins, 
son of General Micah Jenkins of the Confederate Army, who was 
killed at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. She is a great- 
grand daughter of Hon. David F. Jamison, President of the Con¬ 
vention of Secession of South Carolina; Richard Otis Gifford, who 
for a number of years held the position of Assistant General book¬ 
keeper for the Fulton National Bank of Atlanta, Ga., later becoming 
general bookkeeper; Eugene Gifford, who has served in the Georgia 
National Guards and who has completed the Citizens Military 
Training Camp course at Fort Bragg, N. C. On completing this 
course he was recommended for commission on reaching the proper 
age. He attended Oglethorpe University. The youngest of these 
brothers, Charles Thomas Gifford II, attended Tech High School 


528 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


of Atlanta, also Oglethorpe University. He has the honor of having 
inscribed nine names (two grandfathers, four great-grandfathers 
and three grand uncles) in the Bpok of Memory in the Memorial 
Hall that is to be built in the Stone Mountain Movement. 

(By Mrs. J. E. Gifford) 

GILMORE-BYINGTON 

The Byingtons of Wilkinson County are of Scotch-Irish descent. 
The first to come over settled in Branford, Conn. It is said a John 
Lamar Byington of this family came to Columbia, S. C., where his 
son, Amos Fox, and a daughter were born (there may have been 
other children , these were left orphans. Amos Fox was born March 
20, 1793, died Nov. 5, 1874. He served in the War of 1812 as a 
private in the Georgia Militia in Captain Tomlinson Fort’s Comp¬ 
any from June 24, 1812, until October 15, 1812, and in Captain 
Samuel S. Steele’s Company from August 21, 1813, until Jan. 28, 
1814. On account of this service he was allowed bounty land. He was 
also allowed a pension on his application executed Sept. 20, 1872. He 
was discharged at Ft. Hawkins. He married Nancy Freeney, born 
June 5, 1793, died April 2, 1861, on March 20, 1814. They settled 
in North Wilkinson near the line of Baldwin County on a large 
tract of land the property of Nancy Freeney. He supervised the 
farms, operated a saw mill and grist mill. There were born to them 
twelve children: James Lawrence, born July 24, 1815, died Jan. 23, 
1869. Augustus L. born 1817, died Mar. 1822. Jeanette W. born 
1819, died Dec. 1893. Montgomery P. born Dec. 1, 1821, died 
Aug. 1893. Sarah A. M. born 1823,. died Jan. 1825. Benjamin 
born 1825, died July 1827. Male child born dead, 1826. Mary E. 
born 1828. Martha M. born 1831, died Jan. 1909. Henry K. born 
April 12, 1833, died April 28, 1911. Charles Amos born 1835 
died May, 1863. Mirabeau Lamar born Mar. 2, 1838 died July I, 

1909. 

James Lawrence Byington married Jane Caroline McLendon 
in Albany, Ga., about 1847. There were born to this union: Charles 
William, he entered the Civil War at the age of sixteen, was in 
Barry’s Lookout Mountain Battery. He married Annie Richardson. 
George Walton born Aug. 19, 1851, married Martha Ann Brown. 
Edward Telfair born Dec. 28, 1853, died March 5, 1927, married 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


529 


Elia Warren Goode. Emma Idella born Jan. 24, 1855, married Bil¬ 
ling Wheeler. Lillie Clyde born Nov. 27, 1858, married W. E. 
Collier. James L. built before the Civil War the old house that now 
stands on the hill near the Byington mill place, known as the Amos 
Fox Byington home. He also built cotton boats before there were 
any railroads, that were used to carry cargoes on the Ocmulgee 
river from Macon to Darien, Ga. Jane Caroline McLendon’s 
brother William’s son, S. Guyt McLendon, was Secretary of State 
for a number of years. Edward Telfair at the time of his death 
was editorial writer on the St. Petersburg Independent (Fla.). He 
was once with the Macon News of Macon, Georgia, leaving it to 
organize The Columbus Ledger, where he remained for many years 
before going to Florida. His wife, Elia, was also a noted Georgia 
newspaper writer, being the organizer of the old Georgia Press 
Club many years ago. Her father, Mr. Goode, of Americus was 
called the “Silver Tongue Orator of the South.” 

Jeanette W. married a Methodist minister of Long (now Laurel) 
Branch Church, Joe N. Miller, their children were: Mattie, who 
married a Mr. Bales, they had one daughter Ophelia who married' 
Jim Braswell. After the death of Mr. Bales she married Mr. Sauth- 
er. Thomas married unknown, their children were Lawrence, one 
girl and Charlie. Laura, married John Harrington, their children 
were Maggie, married Mr. Graham, Laura married Mr. Whit¬ 
aker, Maurice, married Emma. Ed married. Perry unmarried. Lula 
married. 

Montgomery Pike Byington married Sabine E. Brown on Oct- 
19, 1843, by I. P. Whitehead, Hancock county. There were born- 
to this union: Licinius Crassus, Rochambeau, Lenora, Charles K., 
Miriam, Florence Amos, Gertrude, Rosamond, Heurie, Henry, and 
Lilly. Miriam married W. A. Tigner, Oct. 10, 1872, by W. H. 
Pegg, Atlanta, Ga. To this union were born: Robert Smelser, Fay 
Homer, Lamar, Virgil, Jimmie, John D. and Mary. Elsewhere 
in this book is a sketch of the Tigner family. 

Mary E. Byington first married John E. McMullen, to this; 
union were born Marcus married Susie Criswell and John An¬ 
derson who married Mary Jane Golden. Her second marriage was* 
to Bob Adams. 

Martha M. married Aug. 8, 1852 C. B. Anderson a Methodist 
minister who preached at Hopewell church in Baldwin county. 


530 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


There were born to this union: Benjamin B. married Pearl Den¬ 
ham, Charlie married Laura Caraker, Sallie married Mr. Ethe¬ 
ridge of Gray, Ga., Pocahontas married Mr. Trap. 

Henry K. Byington married Elizabeth P. Ivey born Nov. 15, 
1846, died Jan. 21, 1914, on Mar. 26, 1865. There were born to this 
union: Oolooloo P. born Jan. 27, 1866, married Joseph T. Blood- 
worth on Dec. 10, 1884. Annie E. married John Bateman, Charlie 
G., Willie C., Henry A., James A., Eddie R., Henry K., volun¬ 
teered for service to combat the Yanks Oct., 1861. He was located 
in Savannah, Ga., for six months with a company whose Captain 
was Col. Storey. He was at this time Orderly Sgt. He returned 
home in April. Realizing that the war would continue he and his 
comrades formed three companies from Wilkinson and two from 
Laurens counties. He was chosen Captain of Co. D 57 Georgia 
Regiment. His brother, Mirabeau, was in this company. 

Charles Amos B. married Elizabeth Day Aug. 8, 1855. Their 
children were: Henry, died young; Montgomery Fox, married Sal- 
lie Nelson, born July 5, 1858, died Oct. 15, 1890. He then married 
Bethany Stevens. John Furman, born 1859, died 1927, he is survived 
by a son, John S. and four daughters, Mrs. Henry Lewis, Mrs. F. 
C. Heinsen, Mrs. Raymond Pierce and Mrs. P. Pearsons. Charles 
Amos was shot in the chin during the battle of Chancellorsville, 
(Va.) and died instantly. 

Mirabeau Lamar B., married Lydia E. Barrett, born Jan. 24. 
1839, died Dec. 15, 1906, in 1858. There were born to this union: 
Mary M., Sept. 18, 1859, married Henry G. W. Bloodworth. 
John Lamar, born Oct. 21, i860, died Sept. 24, 1861. Sarah E., 
born Mar. 24, 1862, married Marion Smith, after his death she 
married Jas. Langford. Nancy J., born July 23, 1866, married 
Joseph Wood. Charles William, born March 15, 1868, died July 
24, 1868. James Lawrence, born April 1, 1870, died Jan. 14, 1912. 
Wright Elam, born May 15, 1872, died June 13, 1913, married 
Cora Hobby. Lilly, born Dec. 26, 1874, died Feb. 2, 1912, married 
James Council. Martha J., born Feb. 22, 1878, married Verner 
P. Jackson. Mirabeau Lamar, served in Co. D, 57 Georgia Regi¬ 
ment during the Civil War, he was discharged April, 1865 at 
Greensboro, N. C. He was a musician. 

James Lawrence B., married Dec. 31, 1890, Eula Hughes Gil¬ 
more, born Nov. 5, 1870, by Rev. James Langford, Sr. To this 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


531 


union were born: George, Oct. 28, 1891, dead. Rosa Lamar, born 
Nov. 14, 1892. Frederick Gilmore and Edwin Crowley, born Nov. 
12, 1894* James Lawrence was a lumberman, he served his county 
as Sheriff six years and was Representative at the time of his death. 

Rosa Lamar B., married Nov. 5* I 9 I] L Horace Green Lindsey, 
born Dec. 18, 1887, by Rev. Jordan. To this union were born: 
James Byington, Jan. 15, 1913, Waldo Wayne, Dec. 15, 1915. 
Mary Sue, Aug. 25, 1917, and William Hubert, July 31, 1921. 
It was through the service that James Gilmore rendered that made 
Rosa Lamar eligible for membership in the National Society of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Frederick Gilmore B., married Christine Latta of Oxford, N. 
C., on Dec. 23, 192b, by Rev. W. D. Poe. There has been born to 
this union one son, Amos Gilmore, May 4, 1928, and one daughter, 
Eula Cornelia, Dec. 17, 1929. Edwin C. married Gussie Earl 
Branan April 12, 1930. Frederick and Edwin entered the World 
War as privates Sept. 18, 1917. They were discharged as Sergeants, 
May 22, 1919. They were in Co. F, 307 Engineer, 82nd Division, 
and were never separated during the war. They were in the fol¬ 
lowing engagements: Lagney Sector, Marbache Sector, St. Mihiel 
and Meuse-Argonne offensives. 

Eula Hughes Gilmore, the wife of James L. Byington, was the 
daughter of Susan Boyer Gilmore, born Feb. 11, 1847, died July 28, 
1897, the wife of Ebenezer Torrence Gilmore, born May 7, 1842, 
died Oct. 10, 1922, and were married Dec. 21, 1869. Ebenezer 
T. G., was licensed to practice medicine and surgery by the Board 
of Physicians at Milledgeville, Georgia, Jan. 3, 1874. He volun¬ 
teered for service during the Civil War at the age of fifteen. He 
was the son of James Hughes Gilmore, born Jan. 19, 1807, died 
Feb. 6, 1871, married Elizabeth Nancy Mathis, born Jan. 4, 1813, 
died Aug., 1894, married Feb. 2, 1932. James H. G., was the son of 
John Gilmore, born 1781, died 1852, and married Cleo Precilla 
Duggan born Jan. 1788, died 1851, they were married in 1805. 
John G., was the son of James Gilmore, born before 1760, died 
Jan. 3, 1835, married Mary (called Polly) Hughes, born before 
1766, died 1850. This said James Gilmore is the ancestor who 
assisted in establishing American Independence while acting in the 
capacity of private. He was married in Wilkes County, Georgia. 

(By Mrs. Rosa L. Lindsey) 


532 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


HALL—FREEMAN—HALL 
HANSFORD A. HALL—1842-1908 

The life history of Hansford A. Hall is most admirable. Shat¬ 
tered and poverty stricken as a result of the war but by dint of 
perseverance, economy and untiring industry he became one of the 
most wealthy men of the county. Few men have ever had more 
obstacles to overcome or surmounted them more triumphantly than 
did he. The opening of the War Between the States found him a 
school teacher. Upon the organization of Company A of the 49th 
Georgia, originally known as the Wilkinson County Invincibles, he 
enlisted, and having been promoted to 2nd Sergeant with this com¬ 
mand under Capt. S'. T. Player, was in many of the bloodiest bat¬ 
tles of the war, being attached to Thomas’ Brigade’s Army of 
Northern Virginia. He was in all of the Seven Days Battles around 
Richmond. At Gettysburg while this Company was supporting a 
battery he was wounded and for three months lay in a hospital. 
At the Wilderness, while the gallant Wilkinson County Companies 
were holding their ground until nearly obliterated, he received a 
terrible wound in the right hip which disabled him from further 
service. He was at home, a complete wreck of his former self when 
Sherman’s march through Wilkinson added to the gloom. He was 
also in love with a wealthy planter’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth 
Dickson, and he had no land, no slaves, no mules. They both prob¬ 
ably reasoned that he was in no worse condition than the other elig- 
ibles of Wilkinson would be if the war continued, so while on his 
crutches they were married October 23, 1864. He rented his father’s 
old sheep house and some land to cultivate. He and Mary Eliza¬ 
beth started housekeeping in this old sheep house. The year fol¬ 
lowing they moved near the Dickson home on the north side of 
Big Sandy. Sherman had left some worn out horses and mules along 
the route. Our subject collected four of these and as soon as they 
were able began plowing them, using the plow handles for a crutch. 
In 1866 he bought on credit the plantation near Stephensville where 
he made his home for many years. Here his two sons, Willie A. 
and Isaac Oliver (1875-1913) were born. 

Mr. Hall soon began buying other land as it was offered for 
sale and at his death on Dec. 13, 1908, owned nearly five thousand 
acres. First of all, he was a farmer and cared but little for poli- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


533 


tics, although he served as Commissioner of Roads and Revenues 
1880-1883. 

The subject of this sketch was descended from historic ancestors. 
His father, William Anderson Hall (Nov. 11, 1811-July 12, 
1892), was the son of Isaac Hall (Nov. 12, 1788-March 9, 1869) 
who was Tax Collector and Sheriff of Wilkinson County, a vet¬ 
eran of the War of 1812 and a near relative of Lyman Hall, a 
Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Family records in the 
hands of Edgar Adams and family tradition says Isaac came from 
Clarke Co., Ga., to Wilkinson. The name Lyman is found in 
every generation among the descendants in this county. 

Isaac’s wife, the grandmother of our subject, was Susanna Ross 
(June 12, 1788-March 1, i860), who was born in Washington 
County, Georgia, was the daughter of William Ross, S'r. (d. 1842) 
and his wife Nancy (d. 1843), and was a sister of James Ross, Sen¬ 
ator from Wilkinson and of John Ross, the famous Baptist preacher. 
The Ross family were from Virginia and said to be of the same 
family as Betsy Ross, the designer of the first flag. 

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Edna Paulk (b. 
Jan. 1, 1816-Sept. 9, 1885), the daughter of Micajah Paulk and 
the granddaughter of John Paulk, a veteran of the Revolution. 

THOMAS MADISON FREEMAN—1833-1895 

“The Poor Man’s Friend” 

For more than a century the Freeman family of Wilkinson 
County has been held in high esteem. Not only is this a family with 
wide-spread connections but is one in which numerous members 
in each generation may be found standing out prominently in their 
communities as leaders—leaders in farming, leaders in the church, 
in the school and in every line of activity and thought—a con¬ 
structive, quality of leadership, which has meant much to Wilkin¬ 
son County. 

In the history of this family, none deserve to be more highly 
honored than does the memory of Thomas Madison Freeman, who 
justly deserved to be called “The Poor Man’s Friend.” As has been 
said of him: “He was industrious, careful, economical and yet 
liberal. He was an earnest man, full of zeal and of good works. 
His whole life was an inspiration to honest, earnest effort. His 


534 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


hands for years before his death were never free from public trust 
and his private interests multiplied, but he was true to every ob¬ 
ligation. He was the man to whom the neighbors went for coun¬ 
sel and help. In his domestic and church relations he was equally 
painstaking and prompt, gently and kindly seeking to discover the 
right. He was a man that never turned anyone away from his door, 
who might be seeking shelter or food.” 

No more gallant soldier fought under the Stars and Bars than 
Thomas M. Freeman. In the early part of the war, he, with Henry 
K. Bvington and others, organized the Company which was later 
to be known as Company D of the 57th Georgia Regiment. Bying- 
ton was elected Captain with our subject First Lieutenant. He went 
with his command on the expedition into Kentucky and thence 
through Tennessee into Mississippi. At Baker’s Creek when Grant’s 
terrific assaults had broken Pemberton’s lines and the enemy was 
pouring through the breach, his Company together with the others 
of the 57th Georgia covered itself with glory in their irresistible 
charge which drove back the enemy and restored the line. 

Mr. Freeman was in the siege of Vicksburg and with the Com¬ 
pany was captured and under parol was permitted to return to 
Georgia pending the exchange. As soon as the exchange was per¬ 
fected, Sherman’s Army approaching Atlanta, Mr. Freeman with 
his command was sent to reinforce Johnston. 

On May 25th, 1864, at New Hope Church his Company went 
into action “in the midst of a heavy storm,, vivid lightning and 
peals of thunder mingled with the cannon’s roar and the muskets’ 
sheet of flame.” (see Georgia and Georgians) Sherman’s hosts were 
being hurled against Johnston’s thin gray lines, but Lieutenant 
Freeman’s Company was successfully maintaining its portion of 
the line. While encouraging his men and exposing himself wherever 
danger was greatest, he received a severe wound through the shoul¬ 
der from which he never fully recovered. Though the battle was 
raging in all its fury from man to man down the line the word was 
passed “Lieutenant Freeman is wounded.” The wound proved so 
serious that he was totally disabled from further service. 

For years he was a Steward of Poplar Springs Methodist Church 
where his membership was. Although he attended and took an active 
part in the services of other churches. He was also a member of 
Toomsboro Masonic Lodge. In 1873 he served as Sheriff, complet- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


535 


ing the unexpired term of Matthew Deason, later serving as County 
Commissioner for a number of years. At his death he was one of 
the wealthiest planters of the county. 

Our subject was the son of John Freeman, Sr. (March 30, 1796- 
August 6, 1867) and Elizabeth (Cawley) Freeman (d. May 25, 
1862), they having married in Wilkinson County July 3, 1822, 
although she was born in Lenoir County, North Carolina, and 
moved to Georgia one year after her birth. Other children of John 
Freeman, Sr., were: John D.; Jacob M.; James H.; Harve M.; 
Polly, m. John Freeman; Ann, m. Enoch Miller; Miriam, m. 
Ivey L. Davis. 

Our subject was first married to Eliza Nancy Davis, the daughter 
of Oren Davis (see J. C. Bower sketch). Their children were Tem¬ 
perance Elizabeth, Leonard Hascal, Emma, and Thomas Elbert. 

After the death of his first wife, he was married in 1865 to Celia 
VanLandingham (1842-1925) the daughter of William and Eliza¬ 
beth (Dean) VanLandingham, this family being one of the oldest 
families of the County and of German descent. The children by 
his last wife were: James Lee, m. Lada Hooks; Loomis Oscar, m. 
Emmie Castelow; Lillie Elizabeth, m. Willie Alford Hall; Wil¬ 
liam Harvey, m. Lorah Branan; Attie May, m. R. F. Deese; Clara, 
m. Isaac Oliver Hall, who died Oct. 2, 1913, and she is now Mrs. 
J. T. Bush; E. B., m. Etta Sanders; John Ernest, m. Gradye Thig¬ 
pen. 


WILLIE ALFORD HALL 

Willie Alford Hall was born Nov. 7, 1865, the son of Hansford 
A. Hall and Mary Elizabeth (Dickson) Hall (1844-1926). His 
mother was the daughter of William (“Buck,” 1814-1873) and 
Frances (Paine) Dickson (1829-1909). William having been born 
in Hancock County and migrating to Wilkinson with his father 
Thomas Dickson; Frances was the daughter of Joseph and Sennia 
(Mitchell) Paine, the latter being the daughter of Isaac Mitchell, 
all of whom were early settlers of the county. Mr. Hall ever spoke 
in the highest terms of his grandmother Dixon, she was his “buddy,” 
and whenever “in a tight” she never failed to come to his rescue. 

In November, 1864, the news of the approach of Sherman’s 
Army arrived. It was not believed the enemy would cross Big 


536 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Sandy Creek, and it was thought advisable for Mary to be sent 
across the creek for safety. Her father concealed everything of value 
and drove the mules and horses off. When the Yankees arrived at 
the Dickson house no one was there except Mrs. Dickson. The loot¬ 
ing of the house began, even the piano cover being taken for a saddle 
blanket and the music thrown away. They shot the chickens and 
anything else they could find. Mrs. Dickson appealed in vain to the 
officer in charge to prevent the taking of the property. Her husband 
being a member of the Masonic fraternity and a prominent officer 
in his Lodge she went into the house and put on his Masonic apron 
and official insignia and returned, whereupon an order was issued 
.and the Yankees departed. 

Our subject grew up in the terrible Reconstruction period and 
'experienced the hardships and privations of those never-to-be-forgot¬ 
ten days. His father still suffering from the wound received at the 
Wilderness was unable to give him every advantage he would have 
liked but managed to give him as good an education as the schools 
of the county afforded and then sent him to Emory College, Ox¬ 
ford, Ga., where he would have finished at the age of sixteen but 
did not return in his Senior year. He now took an active interest 
in the operation of his father’s farms, part of the time clerking at 
Baum’s store in Toomsboro and assisting in guano sales, etc., all 
of which was giving him excellent preparation for later life. His 
farm management was a decided success. He changed the methods 
of farming from an all cotton crop to a diversified plan, growing 
all food crops necessary to supply the farms and then growing 
what cotton he could. 

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Hall was planning to study law at the 
University of Georgia but changed his mind and was married to 
Lillie Elizabeth Freeman, born 1870, daughter of Thomas M. and 
Celia (VanLandingham) Freeman (See Thomas M. Freeman 
Sketch). 

After his marriage he purchased the old Brazeall farm near 
Irwinton and moved to it and here he continued his modern farm¬ 
ing methods. Each year as his income warranted he invested in 
more farms until he soon became one of the largest landowners 
of the county. Those who know Mr. Hall best ascribe one of the 
secrets of his success to his ability to manage his labor. The loyalty 
of those in his employ was unexcelled anywhere. No farms pro- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


537 


duced more per plow than did his. He possessed that rare quality 
of leadership which inspired his employees to do their best. 

In 1904 Mr. Hall moved to Toomsboro and began a general 
merchandise business with his father and brother under the name 
of H. A. Hall & Sons. His family now owns the same business and 
operates it as The W. A. Hall Co. 

Mr. Hall has always taken an active interest in advancing the 
cause of education. For several years he served as a member of 
the County Board of Education. When he moved to Toomsboro, 
school facilities there were so meager that he went to work and 
succeeded in building a new house near the Methodist Church 
which was the fore-runner of many other improvements which 
finally resulted in the new modern brick building. In the efforts to 
provide funds with which to operate the schools, Mr. Hall was 
one of the original advocates of local taxation. 

As a mark of the esteem in which he was held by the people of the 
county, on most occasions when Mr. Hall has served on the grand 
jury he has been chosen Foreman. He was also recognized as one of 
the county’s most consistent prohibitionists. 

When the Methodist Church at Toomsboro was built he was very 
active in furthering the work and served on the building commit¬ 
tee at the same time being a Steward and Trustee. His wife and 
family are likewise members of this church. 

One of the undertakings in which Mr. Hall threw himself whole¬ 
heartedly into and of which he is justly proud, was the organiza¬ 
tion of the Wilkinson County Bank of which he is Vice-President. 
At the time there was no bank in the town and the operation of 
a bank was something new in which no one at Toomsboro had any 
experience. However, its success has proved the excellent foresight 
of its organizers. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hall are as follows: 

Willie Mae; Murray Hansford; Mary Frances and Lillie Free¬ 
man. Mary F. was married Sept. 1922 to Lamar M. Ware, son 
of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Ware of Marshallville, Ga., and their 
children are: Lamar M. Jr. and Mary Elizabeth. Murray H. mar¬ 
ried Geraldine Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Collins 
of Toomsboro, Dec. 1926 and their children are Clara Mae and 
Willie Alford. 


538 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


The subject of this sketch died March 18, 1930, and was buried 
at Poplar Springs Cemetery. 

JOHN MARVIN HALL 

Among the leaders of Wilkinson today, John Marvin Hall is 
found in the front rank. In every form of activity tending towards 
the upbuilding of the County he takes a prominent part, the church, 
the schools, good roads, the development of new industries, the 
improvement of agricultural conditions, etc. 

Mr. Hall is the son of William Alfred and Permelia (Vanland- 
ingham) Hall, and grandson of William Anderson and Edna 
(Paulk) Hall, and of William and Elizabeth Vanlandingham (see 
Hall-Freeman sketch). His father, Alfred, was a most remarkable 
man, well deserving the tribute yet paid to his memory by those 
who knew him best. After a most creditable record of service 
through the four years of the War Between the States, serving in 
Co. D, 57th Georgia, he returned home to face the Reconstruction 
discouragements. In spite of this, however, by untiring energy, 
economy and good management, aided by his devoted helpmeet, 
he amassed what was considered by his contemporaries as a com¬ 
fortable fortune, he being one of the largest land owners in the 
county at the time of his death. Both he and his wife were members 
of Red Level Methodist Church. They were strong believers in 
education and gave every possible advantage to their children, to- 
wit: Cora, Alma (Mrs. J. R. Frink), Leila (Mrs. J. E. King), 
Maxa (Mrs. L. M. Stanley), Ira m. Eva Adams and died Feb. 
11, 1910, John Marvin and Ethel. 

John Marvin was born 1886 at the country home built by his 
father, eight miles southeast of Irwinton. After attending the local 
schools and Talmage Institute he spent two years at the South 
Georgia Methodist College at McRae, later attended G. A. B. 
His father’s death made it necessary for him to assume the care 
of his widowed mother and unmarried sisters, as well as to manage 
the plantation owned by his father. In this he was successful, in 
spite of his youth, and has been constantly adding to the size of his 
plantations. A few years ago seeing the possibilities of his own timber 
tracts as well as others which he could obtain, he entered this busi¬ 
ness, purchasing a planing mill and saw mills and since then has 
been actively engaged cutting, dressing and marketing lumber, and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


539 


is now regarded as a successful lumberman in Middle Georgia. 

Mr. Hall believes in utilizing the cut-over lands by planting 
them in permanent pastures and fattening cattle for the market. 
He has some of the finest pasture lands in the county which he is 
using in this manner. 

The vast mineral resources of this section is also attracting his 
attention and he is putting his plans into execution which gives 
promise of another mining plant in this vicinity in the near future. 

As an enthusiast on the question of good roads, Mr. Hall is at 
all times ready to lay aside all other business and appear before 
county and state authorities and urge road improvement. He has 
served as the Wilkinson County delegate at all meetings of the 
Woodrow Wilson Highway Association since its organization. 
When the county and state officials agreed to build the Irwinton- 
Dublin portion provided the right of way was furnished he spent 
a great deal of time getting the landowners along the route to give 
this without cost to the county. 

He is a Mason, a Democrat, takes an active interest in both the 
Sunday School and in the Methodist Church of which he is now 
a member. Prior to his joining the Church, he had the unusual dis¬ 
tinction of serving for several j^ears as a Steward of Red Level 
Methodist Church where his ancestors for nearly a century had been 
leading members. 

Mr. Hall was married December 21, 1918, to Miss Ruby Cul¬ 
pepper (see E. Johnson sketch) and they have one daughter, Helen 
Lillian. 

Mrs. Hall was born in Thomasville, Ga., moving to Irwinton 
in 1909. After attending Talmage Institute and G. N. I. C. at 
Milledgeville, she taught for two years at Jenkinsburg and in the 
schools of this county. In 1919, when the statewide campaign to 
eradicate illiteracy was inaugurated she was chosen the Director of 
the campaign for Wilkinson County. So well did she perform this 
duty that she received the hearty commendation of the state officials. 

In addition to being an efficient homemaker and a most capable 
and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Hall helps her husband in his 
business interest, acts as his book-keeper and performs general office 
work for him. 

In civic affairs she is likewise very active; is a member of the Ir¬ 
winton Methodist Church, a teacher in the Sunday School, Presi- 


540 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


dent of the Methodist Woman’s Missionary Society, member of 
the Robert Toombs Chapter U. D. C. and other organizations. 

MAJOR JOHN HATCHER AND HIS DESCENDANTS 

Of all the historic families of Wilkinson County, none more 
justly deserves the love, respect and honor, felt by the people for 
more than a century past, than that of Major Hatcher, Revolu¬ 
tionary patriot, Senator, political, civic and church leader of the 
county. So deeply did he make his impress upon the minds of the 
people that, though he has been dead almost a century, traditions 
of him are still handed down from father to son and for a stranger 
to claim descent from Major John Hatcher is an open sesame to the 
hearts of the people of Wilkinson County. 

Major John Hatcher was born on his father’s plantation on the 
James River in Henrico Parish, Virginia, about 1750. His family 
had been residents of that section since the progenitor Wiiliam 
Hatcher came over from England in the year 1636. The parish 
church records show that William Hatcher was a member of the 
house of Burgesses for a period from 1646 to 1674. 

John Hatcher, according to the family record, was a lineal de¬ 
scendant of this early colonial settler. He married, about 1772, Miss 
Mary Brady of his home state and came to seek his fortune in the 
newer colony of Georgia. 

He enlisted and fought through the Revolutionary War from 
Georgia, having served in Colonel William Candler’s Regiment, 
attached for a time to the command of General Nathaniel Greene. 
For both of which commanders he named one of his sons, William 
Greene. 

During the years following the Revolution, we find him living, 
first in Columbia county, later in Warren. The Indian troubles, 
which were drenching the Oconee frontier in blood, made it neces¬ 
sary for every able-bodied man to arm and equip himself and be 
ready to perform military service. His quality of leadership was such 
that he was chosen Captain of the 12th Company of the Columbia 
County Regiment of Militia. In 1800 he was commissioned Major 
of the Georgia militia. 

His services in the Revolution entitled him to county lands in 
Washington County and in 1785 Governor Elbert issued him a 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


541 


grant for 287^2 acres. (His great grandson, A. S. Hatcher, of Ma¬ 
con, Georgia, is now the proud possessor of this proof of his ances¬ 
tor’s service.) Major Hatcher for some reason never moved to this- 
land but continued to own it to his death. 

A BELIEVER IN EDUCATION. Major Hatcher was ap¬ 
pointed as one of the Commissioners of Warren County Academy 
in 1801. Again, in 1810 the year that he moved to Wilkinson 
County, we find him appointed one of the commissioners of the Wil¬ 
kinson County Academy which, since the division of the county, had 
not yet been reorganized. Within a short time we find this academy 
functioning and being advertised among the leading newspapers as 
one of the most desirable academies in the state. 

AS A LEGISLATOR. In 1805, we find where he was elected 
to the Legislature from Warren County and served through 1809. 

Major Hatcher moved to Wilkinson County in 1810 and settled 
in Passmore District near the Oconee River on what is still called 
“The John Hatcher Plantation”—near the present home of M. G. 
Smith. Here he lived the entire remainder of his life and here in the 
old family cemetery he lies buried with several members of his 
family. 

SELECTING THE SITE FOR THE COUNTY. When 
John Hatcher first arrived in Wilkinson, the county had just been 
through the excitement of selecting one county site, the county pre¬ 
viously comprising both Twiggs and Wilkinson, and the result of 
this struggle was that the county of Twiggs through the leadership 
of Arthur Fort was cut off and formed, making it necessary for a 
new county site to be selected. There prevailed a spirit of suspicion 
and criticism of those entrusted with the duty of selecting a site 
which meant so much to the county. We can appreciate therefore 
the trust that the people of Wilkinson County must have had in 
Major Hatcher by reason of the fact that he was immediately put 
on the Commission to select this site. This body had almost unlim¬ 
ited power. It was unusual that a man who had just come to a new 
county should be so trusted. However, Wilkinson County was filled 
by men, veterans of the Revolution, vyho had fought with this old 
soldier, who had lived in Warren County with him, who knew him 
to be every inch a man and worthy of trust. 

Service on this commission required a man of courage, one who 
would do his duty under all circumstances, who would lean to no 


542 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


faction to further political schemes, and Major John Hatcher was 
believed by them to possess these requisites. 

AS SENATOR FROM WILKINSON COUNTY. In 1812, 
Wilkinson County sent Major Hatcher to represent her as State 
Senator, the highest office within her power to bestow even though 
he had been in the county only two years. So well did he serve his 
constituency that they kept him there until 1820. After that he 
would not again accept the office. 

IN PRIVATE LIFE. After his return to his plantation, Major 
Hatcher took a great interest in politics, because a man of his na¬ 
ture could not long remain inactive. Upon his son, Robert, then 
practising law at Irwinton, later fell his political mantle, as we find 
him serving as Representative, 1828-29-30-31-32 until he moved to 
Randolph County. 

We find Major Hatcher conspicuous at practically all the Fourth 
of July celebrations, this being shown by the old newspapers of 
those days. In all toasts, the Major’s theme was his love for his 
country. Especially is this noticeable in 1831 when he served as 
President of the Day and his toast to .the Nullifiers shows how he 
hated anyone who threatened the peace of the nation. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR. In politics, Major Hatcher to 
the last was the staunchest leader of the Clark faction in this 
county. Throughout all these years the Clarkites seem to have 
swept this county in all elections. Major Hatcher was also a valiant 
supporter of Andrew Jackson and in 1828 he threw his whole 
strength into the campaign so that the county voted overwhelmingly 
for Jackson and he was consequently chosen Presidential Elector. 

AS A BUSINESS MAN. Major Hatcher was a good business 
man. He amassed quite a fortune, owning at his death, in addition 
to his Washington County and Cherokee lands, over five hundred 
acres of land in Wilkinson County, ten slaves, a great deal of live¬ 
stock, corn, cotton, and other property. 

IN RELIGION the Hatchers of Virginia were Episcopalians 
and so was John Hatcher when he came to Georgia but this being a 
pioneer country there were no churches of his faith, so he and his 
wife connected themselves with Mount Nebo Primitive Baptist 
Church which has now passed out of existence. The old church book 
now in possession of Mr. Reddick McCook records the dates of his 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 543 

reception and also the dates of his death and those of his wife and 
several children. 

The children who lived were Jane Elizabeth, who married 
Thorpe; Willie Elizabeth, married Mitchell; Susan, married Mc- 
Michael; John, who moved to Dooly County; Robert, who moved 
to Randolph County; and William Greene (named for General Na¬ 
thaniel Greene and Colonel William Candler) the youngest, mar 
ried Elizabeth Webb of Hancock County and lived for a time in 
Wilkinson County where they were members of Myrtle Springs 
Baptist Church, afterward moving to Crawford County about 
1832. William Greene Hatcher was accidentally killed by a runa¬ 
way horse in 1839. He had five children: Jerry B , Cicero R., John, 
Sara Jane, and Sidney William. Of Cicero R. Hatcher’s children 
there is one now living in Macon, Georgia, George E., who married 
Kathleen Ayer a^d who have four children: Thomas Ayer, married 
Madge Kennon, George Edwin, Jr., Milford Burous, Hal Baskin. 

Although all four of the sons of William Greene Hatcher served 
in the War Between the States, yet the war service in Wilkinson 
County of the youngest, Sidney William, is of especial interest to the 
people of the county. 

First, while serving in Johnston’s army, he w'as detailed for spe¬ 
cial duty in Mississippi returning to his command just after the 
Battle of Missionary Ridge. Being granted a furlough just before 
the Battle of Jonesboro, he was unable to rejoin his company but 
joined Prudden’s Battery of State Militia at Milledgeville being 
given command of a piece of artillery. Upon Sherman’s approach, 
the Battery, loading its ordnance upon flat cars, took the train by 
way of Gordon, and was there when J. R. Kelly paid his profane 
respects to General Wayne commanding the forces. 

Upon their arrival at Oconee Bridge where a stand had been de¬ 
termined upon, to Hatcher’s gun was given the most dangerous 
position of all, and the one which commanded the approach to the 
bridge. A barricade was hastily constructed by using a car of lumber 
which concealed the presence of the masked cannon. 

Late in the afternoon the Federals advance guard appeared and 
firing became general with the exception of Hatcher’s gun which 
remained silent. Upon the arrival of reinforcements the Yankees 
intent upon capturing the bridge charged down the track yelling as 
they came. It was then that Hatcher’s gun unlimbered, pouring into 


544 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the blue clad masses a hail of grape and canister with telling effect. 
Unable to advance in the face of it, the charge was abandoned and 
the attackers took refuge in the underbrush on either side of the 
railroad and now began pouring a hot fire upon the barricade where 
the gun was hidden, their sharpshooters picking off those manning 
the gun, at every opportunity. 

For two or three days the intermittent fighting continued and 
even now there are many yet living in Wilkinson who remember 
hearing the booming of Hatcher’s gun as he, within a few miles of 
Major John Hatcher’s grave, when the cow T ardly convicts who had 
been liberated to serve in the army were deserting in a body, faced 
by overwhelming numbers, threatened by attack in the rear by de¬ 
tachments crossing at Balls Ferry, still stuck to his post of duty in a 
manner as would have been most pleasing to his grandfather, “The 
Fire-eater of Wilkinson.” 

Finally, as their retreat was about to be cut off, orders came to 
fall back to Savannah. 

Sidney William Hatcher married Mary Lou Weathersby, of 
Jasper County, November 15th, 1865. They had seven children: 
Martha Louise, Albert Sidney, who married Susie May Rumph 
and his children are as follows: Albert Sidney, Jr.; Virginia, mar¬ 
ried Charles Haslam; Mary, married Grafton Smith; and Doro¬ 
thy, married Thomas Fontaine. Martha Louise, unmarried, a daugh¬ 
ter of Sidney William also lives in Macon, Georgia, as does Sidney 
William, Jr., who married Olive McWilliams. Cecil Greenway 
lives near Macon on the old plantation, formerly the home of his 
father, and is unmarried. Mary Lucile married Ralph Northcutt and 
lives at Marietta, Georgia. She has served as President of Marietta’s 
Woman’s Club; State Chairman of Library Extension for Georgia 
Federation of Women’s Clubs; State Chairman of Legislation for 
Georgia Parent-Teachers Association and was a delegate to the Na¬ 
tional Democratic Convention in New York in 1924. They have 
three children : Jane Weathersby, Helen Winters, and Mary Luciler 
Hatcher. 

Reginald Weathersby Hatcher married Lucy Wright, of Ports¬ 
mouth, Virginia, and lives at Milledgeville, Georgia, in an old co¬ 
lonial home with extensive grounds which he calls “Lockerlev” af¬ 
ter the ancestral home of the Hatchers in England. He has four 
children: Lucy Wright, Mary Weathersby, Reginald Weathersby,, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


545 


Jr., and Lois Wright. He is a past President of the National Retail 
Hardware Association; Past President of the Southeastern Hard¬ 
ware Association and of the Georgia Retail Hardware Association; 
Past Exalted Ruler of Milledgeville Lodge Benevolent and Protec¬ 
tive Order of Elks; and is at present Vice-President of the Georgia 
Anti-1 uberculosis Association ; Vice-President Catholic Laymen’s 
Association of Georgia; and President of John Milledge Chapter 
Sons of the American Revolution at Milledgeville. 

THE HICKS FAMILY 

John Hodgers Hicks was born Feb. 16, 1792, in S. C.. After 
his marriage to Rebecca Smith came to Wilkinson County, Ga., 
where he lived to the age of 94 years. They were the parents of 
William, Daniel, John, James, Caroline, Sarah Ann and Jane. All 
four of the sons served in the Confederate Army. William and 
Daniel being killed in service. John married Millie Fleetwood, 
lived in Irwinton a number of years. The girls married Gettes, 
Smith, Grandberrie, respectively. 

James Charles Hicks, the youngest, while in school at Cuthbert 
married Susan Wesley Shepherd, i860, the daughter of Henry 
Shepherd of Randolph county. They came to Wilkinson settling 
just off Ridge Road midway between Gordon and McIntyre. 

In May, 1861, he enlisted in Confederate army. After the war 
with exception of a few years they lived the remainder of their 
lives in Wilkinson rearing a family of four. Namely, Laura Cor¬ 
nelia, born Feb. 7, 1862, married D. P. Hollomon of McIntyre; 
William Oscar, born 1866, married Leila Lewis and moved to Sa¬ 
vannah. Their one child is Madge Hicks Sisterheimn of Savannah. 

Mary Emma, born 1868, married Edward Jackson Helton of 
Wilkinson. Their living family, Dr. J. B. Helton of Gordon; W. 
L. Helton, Danville; Ernest Helton, Savannah; Cora Helton, 
Lillie Helton Holland, both of McIntyre; Eula Helton Kingery, 
St. Petersburg, Fla. 

Willie Olive, born 1870, married Pieman Shepherd of Wilkin¬ 
son and moved to Fla. Their children, James Shepherd, Effie Shep¬ 
herd Murphey, Alice Shepherd Blaine, Susan Shepherd Griner, all 
of St. Petersburg. 

James Charles Hicks, born Oct. 12, 1835, died Jan. 13, 1920, at 


546 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the.age of 84 years. Mrs. Hicks died only 1mo. later at age of 
80 yrs. He enlisted as a private in Co. I of the 3rd Ga. Regiment. 
He was corporal and later color bearer, seeing service in both 1st 
and 2nd Manasas and the terrible battle at Gettysburg. He car¬ 
ried the flag from Barnesville’s retirement Feb. 6, 1865, to the sur¬ 
render at Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9, 1865. He was 
the 5th color bearer of the 3rd Regiment of the Ga. Volunteer In¬ 
fantry of the Confederate army. His flag is now in the Capitol at 
Atlanta. After a faithful 4 yr. service at war he came home a 
farmer and a grand example of the man who lived in the house bv 
the side of the road and was a friend to man. He was buried near 
his home in the family cemetery. 

(By a Member of the Family.) 

HOLLOMON (HOLLIMAN) FAMILY 

David Hollomon, Sr., grandfather of James Hollomon, came 
from Maryland to Putnam County, Ga., shortly after the Revolu¬ 
tionary war. (See old manuscript in hands of E. J. Holliman, Mc¬ 
Intyre, Ga.) 

David, Jr., father of John, James, Virgil, Frank, Joseph, Mary 
Ann, Jane, Thomas and Andrew Hollomon, was born in Putnam 
county in 1804 and was married to Sarah Branan of said county in 
1822. He then moved to Wilkinson county near Red Level Church 
where he died in 1858. 

All seven of the above brothers were soldiers in the War Be¬ 
tween the States, Virgil being killed in service. John moved to Ran¬ 
dolph county, Ga. James visiting him, met and married Ann Caro¬ 
line, daughter of Edward P. Thompson, on Dec. 4, 1851. 

Edward Thompson, before his marriage to Eliza Butler, studied 
medicine. After moving from South Carolina to Ga., later to Ala¬ 
bama and finally settling in south Ga., gave up his practice of medi¬ 
cine and lived a tiller of the soil. He reared a family of four girls 
and five boys. The boys all served in the Confederate army, two of 
whom were killed in service. 

In 1856 James Hollomon and family came to Wilkinson county 
from Randolph in covered wagons and settled near Red Level 
Church below Irwinton. From there he went into service 1861 to 
1865 the end of the war. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


547 


After the war James Hollomon and family settled at what is 
now the Old Hollomon Homestead four miles northwest of Mc¬ 
Intyre. It was there the family lived a quiet, honorable, honest, 
peace loving, busy life of a farmer. 

They were the parents of Derril P. Hollomon, born Sept. 21, 
1852 (died May 15, 1926) who married Laura Cornelia Hicks of 
Wilkinson county May 12, 1882, whose children are as follows: 
J. E., I. P., and O. D. Hollomon of McIntyre; J. H. Hollomon of 
Toomsboro; Dr. D. P. Hollomon of Unadilla; one daughter An¬ 
nie H. Trapnell of McIntyre; Miss Alice Hollomon, born 1854 
(died 1915) ; Edward Japeth, born Dec., 1855, married Allie 
Branan of Wilkinson County. They have no children; Etta Hollo¬ 
mon, born April, 1867, who married Fountain, has one living 
child, Robert. 

The Confederate soldier, James H. Hollomon, born July 21st, 
1828, enlisted as a private in Company I, 57 Regiment of the Ga. 
Volunteers under Captain G. W. Bishop in 1861. He served the 
greater part of his time in the Western Division of the Confederate 
army. He was in battles fought in the states of Mississippi, Ten¬ 
nessee and north Georgia. He served faithfully to the end of the 
war. Died at the age of seventy-one years, July, 1899. 

(Note) The correct spelling of the name is Hollomon not Holli¬ 
man as the younger generation is now using. 

(By a member of the family.) 

CHARLES HOOKS 

Throughout the history of Wilkinson County the Hooks family 
has held a prominent place and the County History would be in¬ 
complete without mention of Charles Hooks. 

His father, John Hooks, was one of the earliest settlers of Wil¬ 
kinson and was one of those hardy pioneers who found here a wil¬ 
derness and wrought out of that wilderness a glorious land of pros¬ 
perity and happiness of ante-bellum days. 

John Hooks’ ancestors were of English descent and they settled 
first in Duplin County, North Carolina. Later, about the time of the 
Revolution, they migrated to Georgia. John’s wife was Katie Sum- 
merford, of Creek Indian descent and traces of the Indian features 
may occasionally be seen in members of the family. 


548 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Charles, one of seven children, was born in Wilkinson County- 
in 1823 and received a plain English education during the inter¬ 
vals of labor at farming. Prior to the War he was rapidly winning 
for himself a reputation for ability among the people of the county. 
During these years he was a Whig in politics. Among the things 
he advocated, which at the time seemed visionary to most people, 
but which have since been adopted, though he never lived to see 
them so, were a Compulsory Education Law and a Prohibition Law. 
In fact he was one of the original prohibitionists of Wilkinson and 
favored it when it was very unpopular to do so. 

When the vote on Secession came up in i860 he was strongly 
opposed to it and helped carry the county against seceding from 
the Union. Two of his sons promptly enlisted in the 3rd Georgia 
Regiment, one of whom, John, was killed at Spottsylvania Court¬ 
house. 

On the passage of the Reconstruction Laws by Congress he 
advocated their acceptance as the best policy and was chosen a 
delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of i 867-’8 and 
took part in the framing of the Constitution by that body. In 1868 
he announced for the Legislature as an advocate of the Recon¬ 
struction Laws and was elected. In 1870, Joel Coney opposed him 
in the race on the Democratic ticket but he was again elected, this 
time with a three hundred majority. After this term was over 
he retired from active participation in politics. Those who yet re¬ 
member Charles Hooks speak of that ever present courtesy, which 
characterized his every contact with his fellowman. In his declining 
years he bore about him that gentility and refinement so often seen 
in the gentry of the old South. 

He was married three times, first to Miss Honeycutt; second, 
to Ardilsia Taylor; third, to Epsy Beck. His children were: 

John; Augustus, m. Kate Thomas; James, m. Sarah Methvin; 
Fannie, m. William Bozeman; Emma, m. Thomas G. Porter; Ella, 
m. 1st John Clark, 2nd W. Quinley; Marietta, m. D. Franklin 
Sanders; Charles M., m. Missouri Sanders; Thomas H., m. 1st 
Electa Todd, 2nd Eva Wolf; William G., m. Lucy Palmer; Lada 
E., m. 1st J. L. Freeman, 2nd B. Asbell. Of these only two, Charles 
M. and Mrs. Asbell, are residents of the county. 












5 






































\ 







I 


t 


* 




























/ 











J. W. HOOKS 













HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


549 


JOHN WESLEY HOOKS 

The only son of John Wesley and Irene (Ridley) Hooks, who 
were married in Wilkinson County, August 19, 1845, but later 
moved to Dooly County, was born in the latter county August 10, 
i860. Reared at a time when education was more expensive than the 
southern planter could well provide, he received only a common 
school education and at the age of eighteen, left home to make his 
way in the world. His first work was clerking for a mercantile firm 
in the city of Macon. On September 10, 1880, he entered the em¬ 
ploy of the Central Railroad, and continued in the service of the 
same company as a locomotive engineer forty-seven years. On June 
25, 1889, in the Gordon Methodist Church, he was married to Miss 
Minnie Sanders, daughter of King and Bethany (Leslie) Sanders, 
pioneer citizens of Gordon. They first made their home in Macon 
then Augusta and later Savannah, as Mr. Hooks received promo¬ 
tion in his capacity as a locomotive engineer. During these years he 
had the distinction of pulling the famous “Nancy Hanks” the crack 
flyer of that day between Atlanta and Savannah. On the morning 
of September 10, 1904, while running passenger train No. 4 from 
Macon to Savannah, the engine ran into an open switch at Rocky 
Ford, and turned over, from which he received a personal injury 
that incapacitated him for regular service. Being granted a leave of 
absence by the railroad company in 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Hooks 
moved to Gordon and built a home of “Colonial” architecture, giv¬ 
ing it an Indian name “Sowania” which means strictly Southern, 
and has been the scene of many brilliant social functions. Later Mr. 
Hooks erected a modern store building, stocked and operated for ten 
years one of Gordon’s most up-to-date mercantile establishments. 

Mr. Hooks, although a staunch Democrat has never entered 
deeply into politics but was twice elected alderman and served two 
terms as mayor of Gordon and during his administration inaugu¬ 
rated the first sanitary department, using the primitive ox and cart, 
which has later developed into a modern auto truck. As a mark of 
appreciation of his value to Gordon one of the streets is named in his 
honor. Progressive in thought, he is always ready to do everything 
for the advancement of the people of the town and county. He has 
spent his time, talent and money for the betterment of this section 
and has aided materially in pushing forward the wheels of progress 


550 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


in Gordon, having been largely responsible for the Pyne Tree Pa¬ 
per Mill being located here. 

But after all the greatest measure of value to Gordon of John 
Wesley Hooks as a citizen is not his material achievements for the 
community. Rather it is the life of the man himself. Quiet, unas¬ 
suming, gentle in manner, he goes the even tenor of his way and 
like Thomas Jefferson he believes in covering people’s faults with 
the broad mantle of Christian charity. 

He is a prince among men and as Mr. Darden Asbury, passenger 
agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad said of him in an introduc¬ 
tory letter to a friend “He is a regular Chesterfield.” In Wilkinson 
County’s galaxy of great names his is a star of the first magnitude. 
But just lovable “Uncle John” to all the young folks and to the 
writer of this sketch, John Wesley Hooks deserves the title of first 
citizen of Gordon, where he is now living in retirement, having 
been granted a life pension by his beloved Central of Georgia Rail¬ 
road. 

(Mrs. Gertrude Sanders Gillespie.) 

MRS. JOHN WESLEY HOOKS 

Mrs. Minnie Sanders Hooks was born in Gordon, Ga., Nov. 
ii, 1870, daughter of King and Bethany (Leslie) Sanders. Mrs. 
Hooks’ father in her own words, was “an honest man,” her mother 
“a very great lady, unknown to fame.” Mrs. Hooks’ grandfather, 
Malachi Sanders, was a veteran of the War of 1812, and on her 
mother’s side, she is descended from the Tysons of the Revolution¬ 
ary War. Her eldest brother died in Virginia, while serving in the 
War Between the States. Mrs. Hooks joined the Gordon Methodist 
Church, August 1887, and was married in the same church June 
25, 1889, to John Wesley Hooks, going immediately thereafter to 
Macon to make her home. No children have blessed this union, but 
the devotion existing between Mr. and Mrs. Hooks is fully realized 
by their friends and acquaintances. 

Since early womanhood Mrs. Hooks has interested herself in 
woman’s affairs. While living in Macon she was a member of the 
King’s Daughters and was an active member of the Auxiliary to 
the Y. M. C. A. She was also a charter member of the Auxiliary 
to the B. of L. E. of which she was the third president and a rep¬ 
resentative to the St. Louis, Mo. convention. 










































. 







« 





























































HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


551 


The love for the old home being so strong in the breast of Mrs. 
Hooks, in March 1906, she with her husband returned to Gordon 
to live where she has ever since been closely identified with civic 
movements and benevolent organizations of many sorts and has 
sought at all times to align herself intelligently and consistently 
with the affairs of her home, community and environments. 

She was a charter member of the Gordon Eastern Star and 
served one term as Worthy Matron. To her belongs the honor of 
organizing the Wimodausis Club, now the Woman’s Club and 
was the first President. In Nov. 1927, she was elected President of 
the Tenth District of the Georgia Federation of Woman’s Clubs 
and was Trustee two years of the Tallulah Falls School owned 
and operated by the Club Women of Georgia. Mrs. Hooks has 
represented the Club as a delegate to the General Federation con¬ 
ventions in New York, Hot Springs, Ark., Chautauqua, N. Y., Los 
Angeles, Cal., and San Antonio, Texas, and several State Con¬ 
ventions. She organized and was elected the first President of the 
Wilkinson County Chapter, U. D. C. 

She was appointed by the State Regent, the Organizing Regent 
of the John Ball Chapter, D. A. R., of which she was the first Reg¬ 
ent and with the assistance of the Charter members developed it 
-immediately to high standing among the other chapters. As a mark 
of the love and esteem of the members of the chapter, in March, 
1929, following suitable ceremonies in her honor, a cedrus deodara 
was planted on the courthouse lawn commemorating the success 
she had made as Regent of the Chapter. When the Chapter assumed 
the great undertaking of publishing this History, it was imperative 
that a leader be chosen to head the publishing committee, one who 
possessed untiring energy, the ability to inspire enthusiasm, a leader 
whom the other members would follow, one who would not seek 
self aggrandizement, profit or fame, but who would submerge her 
own personal interests and throw her whole heart, soul, and being 
into the accomplishment of the task. This Mrs. Hooks has done. 
To her the Chapter is indebted for the success of the venture. 

During the World War her services for the Red Cross never 
ceased. 

While Mrs. Hooks has never been abroad she has traveled ex¬ 
tensively through the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Mrs. Hooks is above all else a devoted wife; her unswerving 


552 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


loyalty to her friends and to her ideals, her sense of fairness and 
justice in all her work and her deep interest in all civic and cul¬ 
tural work has made her a valuable citizen of Gordon and Wil¬ 
kinson County. 


ELI BARTOW HUBBARD 

Among the descendants of John Nunn, who fought in the Revo¬ 
lutionary War, and who is buried at Nunn and Wheeler Cemetery 
in Wilkinson County, is Eli Bartow Hubbard. The relationship 
is traceable as follows: Among the children of John Nunn was one 
daughter named Susan. This daughter first married a Manderson, 
and then after her first husband’s death she married Neri Wheeler, 
who is also buried at Nunn and Wheeler Cemetery in Wilkinson 
County. Susan Wheeler lived to be One Hundred and one years 
old. She is remembered by Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Grenade of this 
county, who is now living, and who gave the author this infor¬ 
mation. Susan Wheeler had one daughter by the name of Addie- 
line, who married Robert F. Adams, among her several children 
was one by the name of Francis. Francis Adams married James 
Allen Hubbard, who are the parents of Eli Bartow Hubbard. 

The Nunns and Wheelers came to Georgia from South Caro¬ 
lina prior to the year 1776 and later settled in Bloodworth Dis-^ 
trict in Wilkinson County. 

Eli Bartow Hubbard was born January 16th, 1882, just across 
the line of Wilkinson in Baldwin County, Georgia. He attended 
the public schools of Baldwin until the age of thirteen years, when 
his father placed him on a farm. He farmed for several years, and 
at the age of thirty-three 3^ears he began the study of law while 
working on his farm. He was admitted to the Bar on July 19th, 
1916, and immediately moved to Wilkinson County, on a farm, 
which he purchased from the McDaniel estate near Gordon. He 
married Bessie Williams, the daughter of Edward and Rebecca 
Williams of this county on Nov. 5th, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Hub¬ 
bard have two children, Frances Rebecca and Josephine Elizabeth, 
both having been born on the McDaniel farm near Gordon. He 
continued to reside on this farm until 1921, when he moved to 
Gordon. During the year 1922, he organized and established at 
Gordon The Wilkinson County News, a weekly newspaper. He 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


553 


edited this paper in connection with his law practice until 1925. 
He served Wilkinson county as county attorney for the years 1922- 
’23- J 24 and ’25, and again from 1928 to the present time. He was 
elected as Representative of Wilkinson county in the General As¬ 
sembly of the State of Georgia for the years 1929-1930. During his 
service as Representative in the 1929 session of the General As¬ 
sembly he introduced and secured a favorable report from the Com¬ 
mittee the following bills of general operation throughout the State: 
A Bill to exempt farm lands from taxation, House Bill No. 130. 
A Bill to provide for a special lien for laborers, House Bill No. 
404. A Bill to place the Public Road from Irwinton to Wrightsville 
on the State Highway system. House Bill No. 319 and also to 
eliminate the county site to county site provision from the State Aid 
Road laws. This last named bill was passed by substitute known as 
the Traylor-Neal Bill. Among the committees he served on were 
Appropriations, Judiciary No. 2, State Sanitarium, Engrossing. 
None of these bills were placed on the calendar for passage for 
the reason that tax bills were given the preference, and very few 
bills other than revenue bills of a general nature were placed on 
the calendar for passage. 

(Autobiography) 

REV. GREEN BERRY HUGHS 
Indian Fighter—Baptist Preacher 

William Thomas Hughs, grandfather of Green B. Hughs, emi¬ 
grated to Georgia from Ireland about the time of the Revolutionary 
War, reaching here when he was nine years of age. He later mar¬ 
ried Ann, the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Hitchcock) Childs, 
and became one of the early settlers of Wilkinson County. In 1811 
we find him Tax Receiver of the County. He and his wife raised 
a large family of children, among them being, John Hughs, who 
married Margaret White and settled about eight miles southwest 
of Irwinton. He became a member of New Providence Baptist 
Church several miles distant from his home. Recognizing the need 
for a church in his own community, he induced others to unite 
with him in organizing Bethel Baptist Church. The newly con¬ 
stituted church at once called Mr. Hughs to the pastorate and re¬ 
quested New Providence to ordain him as a minister. For eleven 


554 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


years, and up to his death in 1843, he served this church, New 
Providence, and others as pastor. 

Although Elder David Smith was one of the Presbytery which 
ordained John Hughs, fate led these two men to become leaders 
of two opposing schools of thought in the Baptist churches of Wil¬ 
kinson County which four years later were destined to rend asunder 
the membership of these churches—Missionary and Anti-Mission¬ 
ary. Smith was violently Anti-Missionary. At Irwinton Church 
in 1831, he paused long enough in his sermon to engage his ob¬ 
jecting deacon, John Eady, in a fist fight in the pulpit. He fre¬ 
quently served all the other Baptist churches in the county except 
Bethel and New Providence, and he had a tremendous following 
in all these other churches. However, John Hughs advocated the 
Missionary belief. Though young in the ministry, not only did 
these two churches follow his guidance but his influence was felt in 
many other places. The supreme test came at the Association at 
Beersheba in 1836, when the feeling had become so intense, that 
the division in the Baptist Church became necessary. The only two 
churches in Wilkinson whose members were aligned almost solidly 
on the side of Missions, were Bethel and New Providence. Big 
Sandy, almost equally divided on the question finally cast in her lot 
with Missions. All the other Baptist churches formed the Ebenezer 
Primitive Baptist Association. 

Rev. John Hughs, now the leading Missionary Baptist of the 
county, saw the need for more Missionary Baptist churches. In 
every Baptist church of the county there had been some who be¬ 
lieved in Missions, and these, now severing themselves from the 
mother church, needed some convenient place for their membership. 
Especially was this true of Mt. Nebo whose Missionary members 
were so numerous that Liberty church was organized to take care 
of them. 

Rev. Green Berry Hughs, the oldest son of Rev. John Hughs 
was born May 13, 1814. He joined New Providence church early 
in life, transferred his membership to Bethel, was ordained deacon 
in 1842, and licensed to preach in 1849. 

HERO OF THE CREEK WAR 

In his young manhood Mr. Hughs was employed as manager of 
the mercantile establishment operated by Samuel Beall at Irwin- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


555 


tion. The Creek Indian War of 1836 breaking out, Beall, who 
for years had been the leading military figure in the county, was 
assigned to duty on the staff of Major Jernigan whose command 
was operating near Columbus, Georgia, and in the counties ad¬ 
jacent. Upon his being ordered to report at the scene of hostilities, 
Beall gave complete charge of his store to Hughs until his return. 
Soon after Beall’s departure, however, the nation was startled 
by the massacre at Roanoke, and Wilkinson County was called on 
to furnish her quota of a company of mounted men to march im¬ 
mediately. Green B. Burney’s Company, the Wilkinson Greys, 
was chosen. Many of the members of this company, including the 
Captain were from Hugh’s immediate neighborhood, and when 
volunteers were called to fill vacancies in the Company, forgetting 
Sam Beall’s instructions he hastily left the store in other hands and 
departed with the Company for the front. 

The story is still told throughout Wilkinson of how arriving in 
Stewart County the Wilkinson Greys were deployed in a swamp 
when overwelming numbers of Indians attacked them forcing them 
to fall back. Young Hugh’s horse was shot from under him, and 
in falling from his horse his gun dropped to the ground. Before 
he could regain it the redskins were upon him. Though extremely 
small in stature and no match to combat unarmed even one Indian, 
Hughs at once endeavored to retrieve his gun. In the meantime, 
Sam Beall with a few troops had arrived to re-inforce the retreat¬ 
ing men. Beall saw in the distance the predicament the dimunitive 
figure of Hughs was in and putting spurs to his horse dashed to 
his rescue, and galloping up behind he seized Hughs, lifted him onto 
his horse and bore him away out of danger. Noticing that Hughs 
was struggling to get loose from him, he inquired the reason and 
Hughs informed him that he wanted to go back after his gun. Al¬ 
though a devout Methodist it is said that Sam Beall now for once 
swore like a pirate, consigning the blankety-blank gun to all sorts 
of perdition. When he finished he looked at the man whom he 
had saved and to his astonishment he found him none other than 
his store manager whom he thought to be in Irwinton. “You little 
devil, I thought you were seeing after my store!” was Beall’s de¬ 
lighted exclamation upon recognizing Hughs. 

As Minister of the Gospel 

A few months after Green B. Hughs returned from the Indian 


556 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


War he was married to Miss Nancy Methvin, the daughter of 
Thomas Methvin of Wilkinson County. During the years that 
followed Mr. Hughs was able to amass quite a fortune operating 
his plantation and he soon owned a number of slaves. Upon his 
entering the ministry, however, he devoted his whole time and 
attention to the church, riding horseback to distant appointments, 
organizing churches in places where they were needed, serving them 
without charge wherever the membership was too poor to pay him. 
He served for a time at Antioch, Stone Creek, Clear Creek, New 
Providence, Jeffersonville, Salem, and other churches during the 
early years of his ministry. Too old for service in the War Between 
the States, he was appointed by the Inferior Court to investigate 
the condition of destitute widows and orphans in portions of the 
county and to see that they were provided with the necessities of life. 

Mr. Hughs was preaching at Bethel Church in 1865, when Bob 
Toombs was making his memorable escape from the Yankees. In 
company with Joel Dees who was conducting him through the 
county to Wesley King’s they took the wrong road and came out at 
Bethel. Hughs was in the midst of a sermon, Dees, not knowing 
which road to take and knowing Rev. Hughs well, called him 
from the pulpit and recited to him the trouble they were in. Tra¬ 
dition says that this was one service where there was no benedic¬ 
tion, and that this was the only time in Green B. Hughs life he 
felt that the Lord’s work could wait. Without a moment’s hesi¬ 
tation he laid aside all ministerial duties and mounting his horse 
conducted Toombs to Wesley King’s. 

In 1871 he sold his plantation and induced several other fami¬ 
lies to move with him to Texas. The climate not agreeing with 
them, however, and the finances of the others being exhausted, he 
used all his remaining funds in paying their expenses back to 
Georgia. 

For a while after his return he served Bluewater Church in 
Laurens County and other churches, a short time later moving to 
Florida where he worked half time with his son as a Missionary 
serving two churches. In 1875 he returned to Wilkinson County, 
living for a while at Gordon. In 1877 Bethel again called him and 
he returned to his small home near there which he still owned. 
Though with failing health he continued his service here until 
1883. The Ebenezer Association appointed him colporteur, and 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


557 


he went about distributing Bibles among those who were unable to 
buy, and preaching at the churches in whose service he had given 
the best years of his life. His last official work was helping organize 
Mt. Pleasant Church in Baldwin County in 1886. While preparing 
for a Union Meeting at Bethel he was stricken, living only a few 
hours. 

The children of Green B. Hughs were: Martha Ann Elizabeth 
(1840-1929 m. James Morris Beall), John Thomas (1842-1875, 
m. Florence Virginia Stanley), Sarah Jane (1844, living, m. Ira 
Chambers), Margaret White (1846-1880, m. James Spears), Wil¬ 
liam Jackson (1849-1990, m. Mamie Ellis, first, and Edith Arm¬ 
strong, second), Theodosia Clifford (1856-1928, m. first, Robert 
Matthews, second Joseph Richardson, third Lorenzo Dow), Green 
Davis (1861-1907, m. Julia Binacher). 

HAYWOOD DONALDSON HUGHES 

Haywood Donaldson Hughes, a member of the prominent 
Hughes family of Twiggs Count)^, was born in Jeffersonville, July 
18, 1851, the youngest son of Haywood and Elizabeth (Coley) 
Hughes, and received his education at the Jeffersonville School. In 
1870 he moved to Wilkinson, where on July 15, 1874, he was 
married to Emma Hughs, the daughter of Nathaniel C. and Geor¬ 
gia (Hatcher) Hughs. 

After moving here he soon became a successful farmer. In the 
hectic political years of 1892 and 1894 when the Democratic and 
Populist Parties were engaged in a death grapple, he was nomi¬ 
nated by the Democratic Convention to make the race for Clerk 
of the Superior Court. Both times he was successful. From 1892 
to 1907 he made Irwinton his home and then moved to Tooms- 
boro where he engaged in the livestock sales business. His wide 
acquaintance over the county and his known responsibility and in¬ 
tegrity were now assets, and from the beginning his business was 
a success. 

He was active in the organization of the Wilkinson County Bank 
and served as a Director from its organization to his death Feb. 
23, 1921. He, likewise, served several years as Councilman and also 
as Mayor of Toomsboro, and acted as Clerk of Toomsboro Bap- 


558 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


tist Church from 1908 to 1912. He was also a member of the 
Knights of Pythias. 

Mr. Hughes possessed a host of friends to whom he was un¬ 
questionably most loyal. His friendliness to every one, his hos¬ 
pitality, his ready aid for those in need, endeared him to all. 

Mrs. Hughes is, indeed, a most lovable woman, friendly, un¬ 
selfish, kind and considerate of others. She is a faithful member of 
Toomsboro Baptist Church, and no one loves this church more 
devotedly than she. And now in the evening of her life, she radiates 
a spirit of goodness and of cheer which makes one love her the more. 

Their children were: Albert Haden (Dec. 10, 1875-July 7, 
1879), Paul Blackman (July 12, 1878) : Alberta (Mrs. Lance B. 
Simmons) Mar. 4, 1881: Julian Herbert (July 9, 1883-Nov. 4 .; 
1884) : Georgia Elizabeth (Mrs. W. C. Troutman) July 2, 1886: 
and Mayme (Mrs. Herbert Stephens) Dec. 25, 1888. 

NATHANIEL CAIN HUGHS 

Nathaniel Cain Hughs (November 29, 1815-1881) was the 
son of William (August 29, 1792-January 25, 1848) and Re¬ 
becca (Childs) Hughs (June 22, 1794-March 19, 1846), and the 
grandson of William 'Thomas Hughs (See sketch of Rev. G. B. 
Hughs). Probably no stronger character ever lived in Wilkinson 
than he. Those who knew him best yet speak of him as being of 
that splendid type of manhood who could never be swayed by pop¬ 
ular clamor, by selfish desires or hope of gain, but whose whole be¬ 
ing reminded one of the powerful oak, well-rooted in the soil, a 
type badly needed but only too sadly lacking in the Wilkinson 
County of today. Uncompromising with wrong, stern in his de¬ 
mands upon those clothed with authority to perform their duty, 
Mr. Hughs would not be termed a politician, yet for many years 
he figured prominently in the public life of the county. He was a 
faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church. 

At the age of twenty, when Green B. Burney’s company was 
starting for the scene of hostilities in the Indian War of 1836, he 
could not resist the temptation to go with the company, in the 
nature of a free lance, his age as well as the full complement of the 
company not permitting his becoming a member. Thus, a veteran 
of Indian War, when the call for volunteers was made in the War 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


559 


Between the States he served again for a time until sent back for 
service in the county. 

At an early age, like most of the young men of the county he 
began his life work as a planter and during the ante-bellum period 
amassed some property, being considered a success in his vocation. 
After the war with the freeing of the slaves when the methods of 
operating the plantations had to be revolutionized, he again made 
a success of farming. In 1873 when W. C. Adams while a member 
of the Legislature created the Board of Commissioners of Roads 
and Revenues, the act appointed N. C. Hughs as one of the first 
members. He served several terms in this capacity. In 1877, at the 
urgent insistence of his friends he consented to enter the race for 
Representative but with the distinct understanding that he would 
not “electioneer.” He was elected but refused to accept a second 
term. Throughout his life he was an ardent Democrat. 

He was married December 26, 1842, to Georgia Hatcher (Feb. 
9, 1826-January 12, 1918) daughter of James Hatcher (b. 1798) 
and Jane (Whitehead) Hatcher (b. 1798), and granddaughter of 
William Hatcher, a veteran of the Revolution and his wife Pris¬ 
cilla Jane Whitehead was the daughter of Reason and Martha 
Whitehead. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hughs were: 

Martha Jane, m. Capt. A. A. Beall; Rebecca, m. William S. 
Stevens; Emma, m. H. D. Hughs; Nathaniel, m. Annie Baum; 
James William, m. Viola Bush; Hatcher, m. George S. Riley; Ida, 
unmarried, is the only one of the family living in Irwinton. 

SOL ISENBERG 

I was born in Suwalki, Poland, October 15, 1879. Mv grand¬ 
father on my father’s side was Joseph Isenberg and my father’s 
name was Myer Isenberg. They were prominently recognized as 
one of the best families in the state. My father was one of the most 
highly educated men in the state of Suwalki. He was a government 
contractor and owned a vast estate. My mother’s name was Rosa 
Ann, the daughter of Enoch Wilenski, also of a very prominent and 
well known family. 

I received my education in the schools of Suwalki. During my 
school career I learned several languages which included Russian, 


560 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Polish, Lituanian, German, and Hebrew. After I completed my 
education, I was connected with my father in his business. At the age 
of twenty-one, I enlisted in the army and served for a period of six 
months. 

Just about this time, which happened to be April 15, 1900, I de¬ 
cided to emigrate to America the “Land of Freedom and More Op¬ 
portunities.” My mother accompanied me to New York where she 
resided with an older brother, Jacob Isenberg, for six months. 

The first difficulty I had to overcome was the English language. 
I worked during the day and attended night school until I had mas¬ 
tered the English language enough to understand the daily conver¬ 
sation of life. 

During my three years stay in New York I met and fell in love 
with Sadie Smith, the daughter of Max Smith, also a prominent 
family of Poland. After a courtship of three years we were married 
July 4, 1905, in Atlanta, Georgia, coming to Atlanta several months 
preceding our marriage. Three children, Hannah, (Mrs. A. J. 
Fogle), Joe and Rose, were born in Atlanta. 

In 1912 we moved to Tennille and stayed for two years. In 1914 
we arrived in Toomsboro, Georgia, where Walter (better known 
as Buster) was born. In 1916 we came to Gordon, Jacob and Ger¬ 
aldine were born here. 

We appreciate the kind hospitality of the people in Gordon, and 
vicinity. Their kindness and popular favor won me the distinction 
of serving twice as Alderman of the City of Gordon; President and 
Vice-President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Gordon; 
Worshipful Master of the Gordon Lodge No. 240 F. & A. M. also 
recently elected Council-Commander of the W. O. W. 

Sol Isenberg. 


REV. B. H. IVEY, D. D. 

Benjamin Henry Ivey was born in Warren County, Georgia, 
April 4, 1848. He was of English descent, his ancestors coming to 
Virginia before the Revolutionary War and several of them taking 
an active part in the struggle. Soon after this war the family moved 
to Warren County, Georgia, where his father, Oliver Ivey was 
married to Miss Amanda Ellis. During the War Between the 
States the family moved to South Georgia. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


561 


In 1869 Dr. Ivey was converted and joined Mt. Carmel Bap¬ 
tist Church in Marion County. He became impressed that it was 
his duty to preach the Gospel, and in 1871 entered Howard Col¬ 
lege at Marion, Ala. In 1872 he entered Mercer University, Macon, 
Ga., graduating in 1876, having been out of college one year during 
this time. 

Dr. Ivey’s first pastorate was Gordon, Wilkinson County, Ga. 
Soon after beginning this pastorate, he erected the First Baptist 
Church to be built at this place. Under his leadership the member¬ 
ship of the church was greatly increased. He was pastor at Irwinton 
and several country churches in this county. He also served as 
Moderator of the Ebenezer Association for several years. 

He served churches in Macon, Sandersville, Sparta, Warrenton, 
Camak, Harlem, and other places. 

While pastor at Warrenton he served as County School Super¬ 
intendent. He died in Warrenton August 16th, 1911. 

Dr. Ivey was a cultured, consecrated man, spending his life for 
the glory of his master, and the uplift of his fellow men. He was 
regarded as an able preacher. In 1907 he was given the degree of 
D. D., by Mercer University. He was twice married. First to Miss 
Mattie Thompson of Wilkinson County. To this union was born 
four daughters and one son. His second marriage was to Miss Etta 
Daniel of Washington County, and to them was born one daughter 
Mrs. C. S. Duggan. 

(By Mrs. C. S. Duggan) 

EMILE JOHNSON 

Honored and respected by every person who knows him for his 
solid worth, honesty, integrity, outspoken opinions upon public 
questions and condemnation of those who shirk their duties, Wil¬ 
kinson County is proud to claim as one of her very best citizens, a 
man, who, though born in Sweden, yet is now intensely American, 
intensely Georgian, intensely Wilkinson Countian—Emile John¬ 
son (Emil Sven Johanson). Whatever Mr. Johnson does, from 
selling goods to fighting fire, he does with his whole heart and 
soul—and succeeds. 

The son of Andrew and Mary (Maya) Johanson, Emile was 
born Dec. 3, 1871, and at the age of three years, his father having 


562 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


come ahead of the family to America, his mother came across to join 
her husband. Once in America, his name became Johnson. For a 
number of years the family resided in Illinois, our subject attending 
school for a limited time at Pierce City, Mo., and Geneseo, Ill. 

Approaching manhood, the timber business appealed to him. He 
served as floating pilot on the Mississippi and tributary rivers for 
twelve or fourteen years. Barges would be built on the headwaters, 
loaded with produce and then piloted down the river to markets. 
His skill won for him the reputation of being one of the best of 
this vocation. The virgin forests of Missouri, Mississippi, Arkan¬ 
sas and Louisiana, attracted him and he spent some years there. 
Later going to Florida he met and married, in 1905, at Chipley, 
Fla., Mrs. Ada Lillian (Wilson) Culpepper, the daughter of 
Samuel W. and Sarah V. (Walker) Wilson. Learning of the heav¬ 
ily forested Oconee River Swamps of Wilkinson, he came here in 
1904 and started in the hardwood business, soon afterward moving 
his family to Irwinton, his father and brother, Frank, also coming. 

In 1906, he entered the mercantile business in what is known as 
the Old Baum building, which he has occupied ever since. He was 
Director and later President of the ill-fated Irwinton Railroad 
Company. 

Mr. Johnson has served as Alderman and Mayor of Irwinton; 
is at present a Trustee of the Irwinton School; member and Trus¬ 
tee of the Irwinton Methodist Church, a Mason, and a Democrat. 

Mrs. Johnson was the granddaughter of John T. J. Wilson and 
of John McPhail and Penelope (Daugherty) Walker. Her first 
marriage was to Howard P. Culpepper, the son of Henry and 
Nancy (King, d. of Hiram King. See John King sketch) Cul¬ 
pepper. By this marriage she has three children: Ralph, (m. Nina 
Ragan, their two children are Fay and Ralph, Jr.) ; Ruby, (m. 
J. Marvin Hall, their child being Helen) ; Russell, (m. Bessie 
Skelton, and they have one child, Sybil). With no children of 
his own, Mr. Johnson lavished upon his step-children all a father’s 
love, giving them such education as fitted them for life. Mrs. John¬ 
son is also a member of the Methodist Church and very active in 
the Woman’s Missionary Society. Her spirit of generosity, her 
ready aid and sympathy for those in need or in trouble, is well 
worthy of emulation. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


563 


WILLIAM ALLEN JONES 

Living in the house today, in which he was born on August 26, 
1864, the son of Josiah H. and Serena (Pace) Jones, whose ances¬ 
tors date back to pioneer days in the development of North Georgia 
and North Carolina, William Allen Jones was raised in Gordon, 
Georgia. He received his early training in reconstruction days, af¬ 
ter the War Between the States, graduating from the Gordon High 
School in 1881, he entered the Sophomore Class at Emory Uni¬ 
versity in the Fall of the same year, after which, at the age of twenty 
years, he entered the employ of the Central of Georgia Railroad in 
the transportation department, where he was quickly promoted to 
Conductor, serving in this capacity for two years. He resigned and 
entered the Mercantile business in Gordon, where he has remained 
until the present. 

William Allen Jones is widely known as one of the most enter¬ 
prising and public spirited citizens of his state, county and city, 
where he has stood high in public esteem. Having joined the Metho¬ 
dist Church in his early boyhood days, he still remains a devout be¬ 
liever in its doctrine, serving as Chairman of the Board of Stewards 
for many years and Bible teacher of a class in Sunday School for 
more than twenty years. He is still in the general mercantile busi¬ 
ness and one of the largest land owners in the county. 

On February the 15th, 1885, he was married to Winnie B. San¬ 
ders, daughter of King and Bethany Sanders (see sketch of King 
Sanders), the largest planter and merchant in Gordon.at that time. 
There has been no children born to William Allen and Winnie B. 
Jones. Mrs. Jones is a lady of culture and has a clear insight of 
business and has been a most deserving help mate to her husband, 
always active in all of Mr. Jones enterprises. She is member of the 
John Ball Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and an 
enthusiastic member of the Woman’s Club of her district. 

Mr. Jones is a Methodist, a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a 
Democrat, whose faith in them all has never wavered, having served 
his city as Mayor several terms and his county in the Georgia Leg¬ 
islature for two terms with distinction. No man could be of the 
prominence he is without making enemies but often those enemies 
made by his uncompromising nature have come back as friends. 

(Prepared by a Member of the Family) 


564 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


THE JOHN KING FAMILY 

No family in Wilkinson has had more outstanding men and wo¬ 
men in every generation of the history of the county than has this 
one. 

John King was born in Edgefield District, S. C., a son by the 
first wife of his father, who was a man of considerable estate. While 
we have no direct proof yet we have reason to believe this is the 
same John King who served in the Georgia House of Representa¬ 
tives from Wilkes County, Georgia, during the years 1785-86-87- 
88-89-90 and also as Commissioner to make a treaty with the In¬ 
dians at Shoulderbone in 1786. -C ^>3 

We next find him a prominent planter in Wilkinson County in 
1809 and being appointed by the Legislature as a Commissioner to 
build the famous Hartford Road. 

John was married to Kizza Morgan and their children were: 
David, Nancy, Hiram, who moved to Decatur County, Georgia, 
and Wesley, who remained here. John’s old home is near the home 
of his great-granddaughter, Mrs. W. T. Wall, this being once 
known as the- ‘‘Halfway House” on the Hartford and Milledge- 
ville Road. 

After the death of John, his widow lived near the present site of 
Allentown, with her son Wesley, but she too died when he was only 
eighteen years of age. Before her death she asked a Mr. Rogers, a 
Primitive Baptist preacher, to help Wesley manage her estate. 

Wesley was soon proving himself a good business man, and at the 
age of twenty-two we find him buying negroes and rapidly branch¬ 
ing out into a prosperous slave and plantation owner. At the age of 
twenty-four, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Anson Ball, 
who was one of the wealthiest men of the county. Their children 
were: Erasmus, who moved to Quitman; Hiram, Ira and Wesley, 
who remained in Wilkinson and two girls. 

In politics Wesley was an ardent Whig and was held in such high 
esteem by the people of Wilkinson County that when he offered for 
the Senate in 1845, having served in the House of Representatives 
1 838-39, although he was opposed by a son of Governor Troupe, 
party lines were forgotten and he was swept into office by a tre¬ 
mendous majority. 

During the War Between the States, no man was more patriotic 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


565 


than he. Too old himself to enlist, his sons took their places in the 
ranks. Wesley at home did all in his power to further the cause of 
the South. When Sherman’s forces invaded Wilkinson he collected 
every wounded soldier south of Big Sandy who happened to be at 
home, and was able to ride a horse, also every boy and old man who 
could serve, and formed a company for the purpose of patrolling all 
the crossings of Big Sandy Creek, cutting off all foraging parties 
and marauding bands which would attempt to cross the creek and 
prey upon the plantations south of this creek. Joel A. Smith, sick and 
home on a furlough at the time, became a member of the Company 
and related these facts to the compiler. 

Ira S'., 1843-1927, son of Wesley served throughout the War in 
Company D, 57th Georgia Regiment. Extremely small in size, yet 
his comrades have often recited to the compiler the deeds of daring, 
of bravery, of sacrifice performed by this man. No one in the regi¬ 
ment was more loved than he. He was married to Mary Francis 
Lingo (1851-1907) in 1869. 

WILLIAM OSCAR KINNEY 

Of all the sons of Wilkinson County who have gone forth to 
make their success elsewhere none is more loved and respected by 
the people of the County than is William Oscar Kinney, of Macon 
—and of Irwinton (for Irwinton is proud to claim him as a citi¬ 
zen of the town, even though his duties permit him to spend but 
a small portion of his time here). 

Mr. Kinney was born August 8, 1870, at his father’s old home 
five miles east of Irwinton the son of James William, and Epsy 
Jane (Mackey) Kinney. The latter was the daughter of William 
and Eliza Mackey early settlers of Wilkinson County, both of 
whom were natives of South Carolina. 

His father, James William was the son of James William, Sr., 
and Mary (King) Kinney, the latter being the daughter of Elisha 
King of Hancock County. 

James William Kinney, Sr., was born and reared nine miles 
from Pittsburg, Penn., on the Monongahela River. He was given 
the advantages of a good education and under good instructors de¬ 
veloped his talent for music. As a mathematician he had few su¬ 
periors. He left his native State between 1810 and 1815 and came 


566 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


to Milledgeville. Here he obtained employment in the Academy 
as instructor of higher mathematics, and at the same time teaching 
music. 

In 1825 when LaFayette was a visitor at Milledgeville, he was 
invited to take part in the entertainment of that noble Frenchman, 
and was a member of the mounted escort which accompanied him 
as far as Macon. Some years after this he moved to Wilkinson 
county where he served as County Surveyor from 1830 to 1844. 

Due to disability Mr. Kinney’s father did not serve in the Con¬ 
federate Army during the War Between the States, yet he per¬ 
formed patriotic service such as he was able. Mr. Kinney also had 
four uncles on his mother’s side to be killed while in service. 

Mr. Kinney received his education at Talmage Institute, and 
after his graduation here took a business course at the Lexington 
Kentucky University. He then moved to Macon in 1891, where 
he accepted the position of Bookkeeper for the A. B. Small Co., 
Wholesale Grocers. He served in this capacity until 1894, then 
formed a partnership with B. T. Adams, entering into the cotton 
business, in which he remained until 1916. After this he began a 
cotton business of his own which he now operates. 

During all these years Mr. Kinney’s love for his native County 
has not diminished. For years he has maintained his country home 
here in Irwinton, and whenever possible he spends days here hunt¬ 
ing with old friends, who still know him as “Oscar.” He is also 
interested in pecans and pineapple pears, owning the finest orchard 
and grove in the County. 

Four years ago Mr. Kinney having been elected a member of 
the County Commissioners of Bibb County, was chosen Chairman 
of that body and served out that term. He has been elected for 
another four years as a member. Of especial interest to the people 
of this county is his official position inasmuch as every possible ef¬ 
fort is now being put forth by him for this county to get the co¬ 
operation of Bibb and other counties in the building of the Irwinton 
and Macon Highway, and all here know they have an advocate in 
him towards carrying this project through. 

Mr. Kinney was married December 4, 1895, to Miss Clara Guer- 
ry, daughter of Judge DuPont and Fannie (Davenport) Guerry, 
the latter of an old Americus family. Mrs. Kinney’s inherent friend¬ 
liness has won the hearts of the people of Irwinton and she, too, 





























1 




* 





















MRS. C. G. KITCHENS 





HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


567 


is regarded as a part of Wilkinson County’s citizenry. Her ap¬ 
pointment as a member of the Georgia Delegation to the 1928 Pres¬ 
idential Convention was hailed with delight here as well as her 
success in the two last Municipal elections in Macon. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have reared four sons and one daughter: 
DuPont Guerry Kinney, who served with distinction in the Rain¬ 
bow Division during the World War: William Oscar Kinney, Jr., 
a rapidly rising Attorney of Macon; Francis Davenport Kinney; 
Clara Virginia (Mrs. W. L. Stribling, Jr.) and Frederick Kinney. 

MRS. JULIA PORTER KITCHENS 

In prominence of ancestral lines, few people in Wilkinson carr 
boast of more than Mrs. Julia (Porter) Kitchens, wife of Carlton 
G. Kitchens, ex-Regent of the John Ball Chapter D. A. R., Home 
Economics Demonstrator of the county. Through her father she is 
descended from the Porters, the Ryes and others; through her mo¬ 
ther the Browns, Mitchells, Whipples, Burkes, Ballou, Angles and 
Arnolds of New England. (See other sketches in this vol.) 

Mrs. Kitchens was born January 25, 1889, the daughter of John 
F. and Fannie (Brown) Porter. She received her education at Dan- 
ville School and Georgia State Teacher’s College at Athens from 
which she holds her degree. She continues to study at the Univers¬ 
ity of Georgia, majoring in Home Economics. After her gradua¬ 
tion she taught school for several years and in 1924 while serving 
as Principal of the Danville High School she was elected Home 
Economics Demonstrator of the county which position she has held 
ever since. Her activities in the work has won for her the merited 
praise of the state and district agents. Each year she carries groups 
of Club Girls to Camp Wilkins for a study course. Through this 
she has inspired many to attend High Schools and Colleges. Rend¬ 
ering service to others through education is the ambition of her 
life. 

As Regent of the D. A. R. Chapter she requested the Chapter to 
devote all their D. A. R. activities for the year 1929-1930 to the 
publication of this history. The Chapter as a whole rallied to the 
suggestion and ever since then she has done all in her power to¬ 
wards keeping up the enthusiasm and pushing forward the work, 
even during the months when lack of funds threatened it with 


568 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


failure. Much of the success of the undertaking is due to her tireless 
energy and unceasing effort. 

She was married July 12, 1913, to Carleton Garry Kitchens, 
son of Garry Newton and Alice Theresa (Hill) Kitchens. Mr. 
Kitchens is a prominent and progressive planter of the county. He 
is a member of the John Milledge Chapter S. A. R., member of 
the Danville Baptist Church, and a Democrat. During the past 
year he has been serving as Mayor of Danville. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kitchens have one son, Garry, who is a student at Middle Georgia 
College at Cochran, and who gives promise of a successful career 
in keeping with what might be expected of one descended from 
such ancestors. 

MRS. NANCY CAROLINE WARD LAMB 

Though born in Twiggs County, yet Wilkinson County is proud 
to claim Mrs. Nancy Caroline (Ward) Lamb as a loyal daughter 
of Wilkinson. 

Mrs. Lamb was born July 31, 1876, in Shady Grove District of 
Twiggs County, the daughter of James Horace and Martha Jane 
(Long) Ward; granddaughter of Solomon and Martha Ann 
(Carswell) Long; great-grand daughter of Samuel Martin and 
Jane (Manson) Carswell. 

Her father, James Horace Ward, has a most enviable record of 
service in the War Between the States, having enlisted March 4, 
1862, in Co. G, 48th Georgia Volunteers, Infantry, which was 
transferred and made a part of Gen. A. R. Wright’s Brigade, An¬ 
derson’s Division and Longstreet’s Corps Army of Northern Vir¬ 
ginia. In 1862 he was appointed musician and served as such until 
the surrender at Appomattox. 

Mrs. Lamb’s girlhood was spent on her father’s farm and she 
attended the schools of Twiggs County, finishing her education at 
Ebenezer College at Cochran, where she prepared herself for the 
work of a Modiste. 

She was married to Charles Broxton Lamb, a member of a 
prominent Twiggs County family, November 25, 1896, and con¬ 
tinued to live in Twiggs County until 1907 when the family moved 
to that portion of Danville located in Wilkinson, where they have 
since lived. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


569 


Their children are: Mae, Byron, D. T. and Charles. D. T. 
married Margaret Waddell, June io, 1925, and has two children, 
Derwin Taylor, born January 18, 1927, and James Broxton, born 
May 22, 1929* Mae, one of the most graceful, talented and charm- 
ing young ladies of Danville, is a student at the Seminary at Louis¬ 
ville, Ky., where she is preparing for social service work. She is al¬ 
so an active member of the John Ball Chapter, D. A. R. 

Mrs. Lamb is a faithful member of the Methodist Church, an 
amiable wife and a devoted mother. Her lovable disposition and 
absolute unselfishness and pure character endears everyone to her. 

MRS. GEORGIA ELVENIA BURKE LAND 

Throughout the history of Wilkinson County the Burke family 
has always taken a most prominent part in political affairs and has 
ever held a high place in the affections of the people generally. The 
family is said to have come to Wilkinson from South Carolina. 
The earliest record of their being in this county was in 1833, when 
Daniel Burke bought land lot 235 in the 23rd land district, what 
is now known as the “Old Lee Place.” Daniel had a sister, Marga¬ 
ret, who married William Chapman of this county. Daniel was 
probably the son of Nimrod who served as 2nd Lieutenant 10th 
Company, Washington County Regiment of Militia, Oct. 16, 1787, 
Sept. 6,*c 790, and Lieutenant 8th Company, Washington County 

Regiment f Militia, March 29, 1793, and- (Morgan) Burke. 

It will be/ioted that Nimrod is a family name found in every gen¬ 
eration. Few families have throughout their history produced more 
leaders and influential men and women than has the Burke. Not 
merely has this family always borne the reputation for loyalty to 
friends but a family whose members could be depended upon to exert 
themselves to the utmost in helping their friends. 

No one is more justly proud of her descent from such a lineage 
than is Mrs. Georgia Elvenia Land of Allentown. She was born 
October 26, 1865, the daughter of John (Jan. 19, 1817-Apr. 14, 
1887) and Sarah Carswell Burke. The parents of John were 
Daniel and Mary (Trulock) Burke, theYi children being Artemissa, 
(m. William Brown) ; Peggy, (m. J. A. P. Methvin) ; Elizabeth, 
(m. Samuel Meredith); Sarah, (m. 1st Philips and 2nd W. W. 
Lee) ; Nimrod, (m. Elizabeth Butler, daughter of Joel Butler) ; 
John. 



570 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


On her mother’s side, Mrs. Land is connected with the promi¬ 
nent Carswell family, Sarah being the daughter of Samuel Martin 
Carswell (see Carswell sketch). The children of John and Sarah 
were: Mary, m. William Watkins; Rhura, m,. Robert Slaughter; 
John M., m. 1st Fannie McNair, 2nd, her sister, Estelle McNair; 
Betty, m. John Sinquefield; Mattie, m. Bill Daughtry; Georgia; 
Jennie, m. I. N. Meadows; Lottie, m. Mark Faulk. 

Our subject was married May io, 1888, to John T. Land (Dec. 
20, 1846-July 2, 1918) of Twiggs County, an uncle of Judge Max 
Land of the Industrial Commission and also of former State School 
Superintendent Fort Land. Their children are: Burke, m. Elizabeth 
Carter; Alf Truitt, Florence, Georgia and Thomas H. m. Minnie 
Lee Prevatte. Her love for her family is most beautiful. No mother 
ever lived who was more devoted to her children. She is a consistent 
member of the Methodist Church. 

(Data furnished by family) 















































































** • • 1 • 
. ‘ -* 


I • * 


* 























- 

































* •. 

































































ISSUE OF COL. RICHARD LEE AND HIS WIFE, ANN HANCOCK 


RICHARD 

Born, 1647 

Died, 1714 

JOHN 


FRANCIS 

WILLIAM 

HANCOCK LEE 

B. 1653 

Tirst Wife, Mary Kendall 
Second Wife, Sarah Allerton 

ELIZABETH 

ANN 


CHARLES 

IIENRY 

Born, 1686 

Married Mary Bland 

JOHN 

B. 1076 

RICHARD 

B. 1678 

PHILIP 

B. 16.80 

The Maryland 
Lees 

FRANCIS 

B. 1682 

THOMAS 

B. 1684 

M. Hannah 
Ludwell 

ANN 

B. 1690 

M. First Col. Wm. 
Fitzhugk 

2nd Capt. Dan 
McCarthy 

RICHARD LEE 

Born, 8-18-1691. Died, 1740 
Married 1720 to Judith Steptoe 

Wm. KENDALL 

MARY 

ISAC 

HANCOCK 

JOHN 

ELIZABETH 
Born, 1709 
M. Zachary 
Talor 

HENRY 

B. 1729 

M. Lucv Grimes 

S Children 

JOHN 

B. 1724 

M. Mary Smith 

Ball 

RICHARD 

B. 1726 

M. Sally 
Poythens 

LETTICE 

B. 1730 

M. Col. Wm. Ball 




THOMAS LEE 

Born, 12-3-1729 

M. Mary Bryan of N. C. 
March, 1761 

KENDALL 

ELIZABETH 

MARY 

JUDITH 

LELITI V 

JOHN 

HENRY 

(Light Horse Harry) 

B. 1756. D. Mar., 1818 at 
Cumberland Island, Ga. 

M. 1st His Cousin, Matilda 
Lee, Daughter of Phillip 
Ludwell Lee 

M. 2nd Ann Hill Carter 

WINNIFRED 

B. 1778 

EDWARD 

B. 1778 

ANNA 

B. 1781 

MARY 

B. 1779 

WILLIS 

B. 1775 

ZTT.PHA 

B 1-3-1773 

LEWIS 

B. 1772? 

D. 1845 

Married Jane Triplet 
WALTER WASHINGTON 

B. 7-31-1812. D. 4-11-1887 

M. Sarah Burke Rozar 

THOMAS 

B. 12-9-1761 

JOHN 

B. 5-10-1763 

WILLIAM 

B. 11-15-1764 

RICHARD 

B. 4-3-1766 

JAMES 

B. 10-20-1768 

NEEDHAM 
B. 11-4-1770 

ROBERT EDWARD 
. 1-19-1807. D. 10-12-18SC 
M. Mary Ann Randolph 
Curtis 







WALTER WASHINGTON II 

B. 8-30-1853. D. 1-17-1917 

M. Mollie Elizabeth Ollphant 

LOTT WARREN 

B. 12-19-1849. D. 3-11-1908 
M. Carrie Farmer 

LEWIS 

DANIEL GREEN 

B. 9-30-1855 

D. 3-4-1916 

M. Julia Pauline 
Whitehurst 

IDA 



Prepared from Data Furnished by 

MRS. RICHARD H. ALVEY 
(Georgia Lee Dozier Alvey) 

600 Riverside Drive 

New York. N. Y. 






WILLIAM GREEN 

B. 11-24-1876 

M. Christine Cole 

JAMES W. 

EMMA PAULINE 
M. Leon Dennard 

FANNIE BELLE 

M. J. W. Willums 











WILLIAM GREEN II 

CHRISTINE COLE 

MADISON COLE 






HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


571 


THE LEE FAMILY 

Genealogical Data 

Col. Richard Lee, of Virginia, is the beginning of the Lee family 
in America. Genealogists so far have been unable to determine who 
his father was, but it is generally supposed that he was from the 
Irish Thomas Lee family, who went from England to Ireland in 
the latter part of the sixteenth century. It is known, however, from 
his coat of arms that he was from the “Conton” branch of the fam¬ 
ily. 

Col. Richard Lee married Ann Hancock and to them were born 
eight children, namely: Richard (born 1647 and died 1714), from 
whom is directly descended Gen. Robert E. Lee; John; Francis; 
William; Elizabeth; Charles, and Hancock (born 1653). 

Hancock Lee married first, Mary Kendall and to them three 
children were born, namely: William Kendall; Mary; and Rich¬ 
ard. His second wife was Sarah Allerton and to them four children 
were born, namely: Isaac, Hancock; John; and Elizabeth, who was 
born in 1709 and married Zachary Taylor. 

Richard Lee, son of Hancock Lee and Mary Kendall, was born 
Aug. 18, 1691 and died in 1740. In 1720 he married Judith Step- 
toe and to them seven children were born. These children were 
Kendall, Elizabeth, Mary, Judith, John, Lelitia, and Capt. Thom¬ 
as Lee. This Capt. Thomas Lee wrote in his bible, “I am the son 
of Richard Lee and Judith S'teptoe, born Dec. 3, 1729, Northum¬ 
berland County, Virginia.” He (Capt. Thomas Lee) married 
Mary Bryan of North Carolina. Their children were, Thomas, 
born Dec. 9, 1761; John, born May 10, 1763; William, born Nov. 
15, 1764; Richard, born April 3, 1766; James, born October 20, 
1768; Needham, born Nov. 4, 1770; Lewis, born 1772; Zilpha, 
born Jan. 3, 1773; Willis, born 1775; Winnifred, born 1778; Ed¬ 
ward, born 1779; and Anna, born 1781. 

The above named Lewis Lee married Jane Triplett. He was 
born in South Carolina and moved to Randolph County, Georgia 
(now Quitman County) about 1832. To Lewis Lee and Jane 
Triplett were born one son, Walter Washington Lee, who was 
born July 31, 1812, and died April 11, 1887. 

Walter Washington Lee married a widow named Sarah Burke 


572 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Rozar and to them were born five children. These children were: 
Lott Warren; Lewis; Walter Washington, II; Daniel Green; and 
Ida. 

Walter Washington Lee, II, was born August 30, 1853, and 
died Jan. 17, 1917. He married Mollie Elizabeth Oliphant. Their 
children are: Dr. William Green Lee of Macon, Ga.; James W. 
Lee of Memphis, Tenn.; Fannie Belle and Emma Pauline, both of 
Macon, Ga. 

Lott Warren Lee, son of Walter Washington Lee and Sarah 
Burke Rozar, was born Dec. 19, 1849, and died March 11, 1908. 
He married first to Carrie Farmer of Louisville, Ga. There were 
six children born to them. His second wife w^as a Mrs. Bragg. The 
children by his first wife are: Sidney W. Lee, who married a Miss 
Stripling of Jones County; Sarah Lee, who married a Mr. Miller 
and lives in Macon, Ga.; Dr. James Warren Lee, who married 
Miss Owen of Gordon, Ga.; Robert Farmer Lee; Dan I. Lee, 
who married Miss Roughton; and Burke Lee, who married a Miss 
Miller. 

Lewis Lee, the next son of Walter Washington Lee and Sarah 
Burke Rozar, had one son named Ramon. Ida Lee, daughter of 
Walter Washington Lee and Sarah Burke Rozar, married Jonah 
G. Pearson. 

Daniel Green Lee, the youngest son of Walter Washington Lee 
and Sarah Burke Rozar, was born Sept. 30, 1855, and died March 
4, 1916. He married Julia Pauline Whitehurst. Their children 
are: Rev. Walter M. Lee; Dr. Lott Warren Lee; Kate Lee, who 
married Mr. Henry; and Carro Lee, who married Mr. Fishburne 
of South Carolina. 

William Green Lee, son of Walter Washington Lee, II, and 
Mollie Elizabeth Oliphant, was born November 26, 1875. He mar¬ 
ried Christine Cole of Newnan, Ga. - Their children are: William 
Green, II, age 11 ; Christine Cole, age 12; and Madison Cole, age 
8 . 

James W. Lee, son of Walter Washington Lee, II, married 
Mattie Gay Tomlinson and their only child, Malene, is a student 
at Wesleyan College. 

Emma Pauline Lee, daughter of Walter Washington Lee, II, 
married Leon Dennard. Their children are: Mrs. Lois Mize and 
Mrs. Elsie Simonton. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


573 


Fannie Belle Lee, daughter of Walter Washington Lee, II, mar¬ 
ried J. W. Willums. Their children are: Wynelle, who married 
Col. Benton; Walter; and Doris. 

(Prepared by Myrick Hilsman.) 

References: Mrs. Richard H. Alvey, New York, N. Y.; Rev. 
Walter M. Lee. 

THE LEE FAMILY AND ITS DESCENDANTS’ 

(By Rev. Walter M. Lee) 

In the Library of Congress is a card index file of about forty 
books and pamphlets dealing exclusively wfith the history of the Lee 
family in America. The Lees are of English descent, members of 
this family having been in the army of Cromwell. 

The Lees of America are, according to authorities consulted by 
the writer, divided into two general families, one of which begins in 
Virginia, and the other in Connecticut. Members of the latter 
branch are scattered throughout the West and Northwest. Mem¬ 
bers of the Virginia family are scattered generally throughout the 
South and the Southwest. Richard Henry Lee, the eminent Ameri¬ 
can statesman of Revolutionary times, and Henry Lee, Colonel in 
the army of the Revolution, as well as General Robert E. Lee were 
members of the Southern branch. 

In Halifax District, near the Virginia line, were Daniel, Green, 
and John Lee. These names are common in the family under spe¬ 
cial treatment, viz., the family of John Lee, who removed from 
South Carolina to Georgia as a pioneer settler, located in Wilkin¬ 
son County, seven miles south of Irwinton, the county seat, on the 
northern banks of Maiden Creek. He is said to have purchased the 
Fairchilds plantation, and to have died not many years afterwards. 
After his decease John T. Fairchilds married his widow. 

Elizabeth, the wife of John Lee, after the death of her husband 
became the wife of a young man, who was from the leading fami¬ 
lies of the section. Her bones lie in the Fairchilds cemetery beside 
those of her two husbands. This cemetery is located on what is 
known as the James Knight land, on the road from Allentown to 
Irwinton, via Pleasant Plains Church. Crossing Maiden Creek, 
going north, one finds himself on the Knight Fairchilds John 
Lee plantation, and the cemetery is located just off the road to the 


574 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


right, after crossing the creek. The cemetery is about seven miles 
from Irwinton. 

John Lee had seven children—five boj's and two girls; by name 
Godfrey, Lovard, Lewis, Needham, and John; and Sara'h and 
Winnie. 

Lovard Lee removed to Alabama in 1832. His only son was 
named Alto V. Lee, and was a very prominent man in the legal 
profession. His son Hon. Lawrence H. Lee, is a reporter of decis¬ 
ions in the Alabama courts. Mrs. Geo. W. Peach, Clayton, Ala., 
his sister, and a daughter of Alto V. Lee, had numerous descendents 
around Louisville, Ala., and he had a grandson named Lovett. 

Lewis Lee, the father of Walter Washington Lee was born in 
South Carolina about 1780, and removed to Randolph County, 
Georgia, (now Quitman County) about the year 1832. 

The wife of Lewis Lee was named Jane Triplett. Their children 
were Walter Washington, Greenberry, Darling Peeples, Betsy, 
Rachel, Susie, Sallie, Martha, and Mary Jane. One of his descend¬ 
ents has the following to say concerning his personal appearance: 
“He and General R. E. Lee must have been of the same stock. 
Their features and build were very much alike. When I would see 
Gen. Lee in Virginia, I would be reminded of Grandpa.” 

Jane Triplett Lee, the wife of Lewis Lee, was the daughter of 
Francis Triplett and Rachel Brack. Jane had one sister, Polly, who 
married Major Collins. 

A grandchild of Lewis Lee, now very aged, says concerning the 
youth and education of Lewis Lee: “Our grandfather, Lewis Lee, 
attended school in 1792, and kept what he called a ciphering book, 
to which he transferred his examples. He had kept it 65 years when 
he died. I kept it 40 years and placed it in a drawer and the mice 
destroyed it. I was very sorry of the loss, for I prized it highly. On 
the front page of that book was written only: “Lewis Lee’s ciph¬ 
ering book, 1792’ and he did not locate the place of his residence. 
It was kept well preserved for more than 100 years; and the hand 
writing was fine—the work as neat as any one could have done.” 

Needham Lee, the son of John Lee, removed to Alabama about 
1835 where he has a large number of descendants around Louis¬ 
ville, Ala., Needham Lee apparently drew the lot of land on which 
the father of L. L. Tilly was buried, and swapped it to Elizabeth 
Russell for a lot she drew in Muscogee County, and Needham ex- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


575 


ecuted for Elizabeth Russell, who was a sister of Walter Washing¬ 
ton Lee, Sr. She married Russell first, and Tilly second. 

Winnie Lee married a Mr. Pierce, and to her was born two 
sons, Jesse and Lovard Pierce. 

Sallie Lee married a Mr. McNair, and to them were born three 
sons and two daughters: Quill, Godfrey, and John; and the names 
of the girls are not known. 

The Lees of two generations ago were not as some have sup¬ 
posed very large physically. Lewis Lee was about five feet nine 
inches tall and weighed about 165 pounds. His complexion was 
fair. He died the first of November, 1857. His wife died in Feb¬ 
ruary, 1862. (Jane.) 

The children of Lewis and Jan Triplett Lee were Walter Wash¬ 
ington, Greenberry, Darling Peeples, Elizabeth or Betsy, Rachel, 
Susan, Sallie, Martha, and Mary Jane. 

Walter Washington Lee was married to Sarah Burke Phillips 
about 1850. Nimrod Burke, a celebrated hunter, is said to have 
been the earliest known ancestor of the Burke family, which origi¬ 
nated in Ireland. The Burkes came from near Charleston, S. C., 
and were among the first settlers of Wilkinson and Bibb Counties. 
Morgan Burke, who died about 1800, was the father of Daniel 
Burke, and others. Daniel married Mary Trulock whose relatives 
resided near Climax, Georgia. Among his six children was Sarah, 
or Sallie, Burke. This Sarah married first Mr. Wiley Phillips, 
brother of Joseph Phillips, by whom was mother of Mollie, who 
married Dr. Reid and after his death married Dr. Pennington, of 
Louisiana. A son of Sarah named John died in the Civil War. 

After the death of Wiley Phillips, Sarah, his wife, was married 
to Walter Washington Lee, Sr., and to this union were born Lott 
Warren, Lewis, Raymond, Walter Washington, Jr., Daniel 
Greene, and Ida. The old Lee homestead is located five miles from 
Allentown, northwest. 

Walter Washington Lee, Sr., was eminent for industry, honor, 
and other qualities of superb manhood. His wife possessed all the 
superior traits of womanhood, and her piety, tenderness, moral 
consistence, and virtue nerve with unflagging ambition her noble 
and capable offspring. A consistent member of New Providence 
church, she was punctual in attendance, faithful in Christian duty, 
and eminent for wifely devotion and motherly care during the 


576 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


distressing times during the Civil War, in which her husband and 
brothers were patriotically engaged to the end. In her latter years 
she was the inmate of the homes of several children, bringing 
brightness, joy, and pleasure to the children and grandchildren, 
and radiating good cheer and maternal suavity wherever her lot 
was cast. 

Greenberry Lee, brother of Walter Washington Lee, Sr., was 
killed in 1853. Greenberry married Jane Corbitt about 1847 or 
1848. To them was born a son in 1850, John Corbitt Lee, whn 
died several years ago, leaving a considerable estate. He was a 
prominent member, treasurer, and deacon in the First Baptist 
Church of Augusta, and a member of the firm of Lee and Both- 
well. His elevated sentiments of honor and virtue enabled him to 
live above the world in an elevated atmosphere of sobriety, virtue, 
integrity, and rectitude. These admirable traits of superior charac¬ 
ter he has transmitted to his offsprings, who have intermarried into 
the best circles of pious and plutocratic residents of the city of 
Augusta. 

After the death of Greenberry, a daughter Anna was born. She 
married Sam Carswell of Wilkinson County. She was eminent for 
virtue, piety, motherly devotion to her children, and religious con¬ 
sistency and activity. Ller hospitable home was opened to the serv¬ 
ants of God, and her best efforts were given to the church of her 
choice, New Providence Baptist. 

Darling Peeples was a third son of Lewis Lee. He was named 
after a Baptist minister who resided near the Lee homestead in 
South Carolina. (Peeples) Elizabeth (Betsey) Lee was married 
first to Mr. Russell, by whom she was mother of Rev. Gustavus 
Russell, a Methodist minister in Louisiana, and Emiline Russell, 
who married W. S. C. Jessup, a deacon in Clear Creek church, 
Wilkinson Count} 7 . 

The children of W. S. C. Jessup and his wife, Emiline Russell, 
were J. A. Jessup, J. W. Jessup, Frank Jessup, and Dr. P. A. 
Jessup. The last named has been eminent for usefulness in the 
Master’s kingdom throughout South Georgia. 

After the death of Mr. Russell, Emiline was married to Mr. 
Tilly, and to this union were born Seaborn, Lewis, a physician; Jane, 
and Jim Watt Tilly. 

Rachel, the fifth child of Lewis Lee, was married to William 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


577 


Collins, and to them were born LeRoy, Cornelia, or “Melia,” 
Sarah, who was married to Frank Rutherford, William Lee, who 
died in the Civil War, James, Mary Jane, who was married to 
Elbert Rutherford, Erastus E. Collins, and Columbus Collins. 

The descendents of the children of William and Rachel Lee 
Collins are as follows: 

LeRoy married Margaret Williams, and to them were born 
Cornelia. Rachel, William, Bobby Lee, and Lula. Of these, Cor¬ 
nelia, has never married, Rachel married Mr. Gibson of Dodge 
County, Ga., Wdlliam, Bobby Lee and Lula resides in Dodge also. 

William,who was killed in the War, married Elizabeth Davidson,, 
and to them were born Allen, John, James, Frank, Sarah Jane, 
and Lee Ann. Of these, Allen married Miss Hall. They have a son 
named Ralph. John married a Miss Stuckey. James Frank married 
Lissie Hardy, and their children are named, Norwood, Lee, Joel, 
Frank, Thelma, and Irma. Sarah Jane is dead. Lee Ann married 
Randall Jackson. 

Erastus E. Collins married Sallie Jackson, a woman pre-emi¬ 
nently endowed with a brilliant intellect, who quoted the classic 
English Poets with great ease, and evinced otherwise through her 
many trials and hardships a most desirable firmness and worthiness 
of character. They reared a promising family of children among 
whom were some girls and superior natural endowments. 

The children of Erastus E. Collins and Sallie Jackson are: 

Eula, who married Thomas J. Lewis. Edna, who married Mr. 
Pounds, Everett, who married Alice Waters. Annie, who married 
Mr. Patton. Estelle, who married Mr. Stephens. Thomas, who 
married Mattie Rozar; Carl who married Bertha Hall; Marie 
who married Mr. Powell; and Laura, who married Mr. Goodson. 

The sixth child of Rachel and William Collins was Sara, who 
married Frank Rutherford. To them were born Rebecca, Carrie, 
Georgia, Lula, William, John Lee, and Emmet. Rebecca married 
D. M. Davidson. Lucy married Mr. Bridges, and Bell married 
Mr. Yarborough; and Luna, Bell and Lucy were the children of 
Rebecca Rutherford and Mr. Davidson. Luna married William 
Outlaw. 

Carrie Rutherford, daughter of Sara and Frank Rutherford, 
married Andrew Cowart, and to them were born Annie, who mar¬ 
ried L. Hall. Eula Bell, who married Lee NeSmith. 


578 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Georgia Rutherford married Allen Tindall. Their children are 
Cordia who married Miss Burke, William, Rufus, Ola, who mar¬ 
ried Mr. Little; Anna, who married Joe Jordan; and Vera who 
married Mr. Harris. 

Lula married Green Rutherford, and their children are Levada, 
who married Otho Butler. 

William Rutherford married Ella Cowart. Their children are 
Pearl, who married Bendy Williams; Bertha; Sara, who married 
Ray Butler; and Lester and Pauline. 

John Lee Rutherford, who married Anna Schmidt, has children 
named, John F., Willie, Bessie, who married Mr. Grimsley; Mamie, 
who married R. L. Davidson; Luna, Elvenia and Eleanor. 

Emmet, the seventh child of Sara and Frank Rutherford, mar¬ 
ried Elice Lewis and has a child named Evelyn. 

Jane Collins, and Elbert Rutherford were married and their 
children are J. Nat. Rutherford, who married Lena Schmidt, and 
whose children are Georgia, who married Georgia Roan, Kathleen, 
Annette, and Bunk. 

Maggie Rutherford married H. D. Howard and their children 
are Morris, Ruth, and Marguerite. 

Benhill, the fourth child of Jane Collins and Elbert Rutherford, 
married Miss Bennie Morgan, and Ben and Charles are their 
children. 

Lula Belle, the next child, married Mr. Moncrief, Frances being 
their only child. 

Louis married Albert Rozar and Mabel is only child. 

Fannie May married John F. Burke, and Jane is only child. 

Emma married J. A. McCant, and their children are Albert, 
Florine, Bernice, Nell, Ruth, and Emma. 

Cornelia married J. A. McCant and their children are Elizabeth, 
Frances, and Baby McCant. 

Sallie, the seventh child of Lewis Lee, married a Mr. Mercer 
and to them were born Joe Mercer, who went to Texas; Green 
Mercer; Lewis Mercer; Mary Jane, another child, married Noel 
Rogers. 

Martha the eighth child of Lewis Lee, married Mr. Daniel 
Wright, and to them were born Rachel, who married Mr. Flem¬ 
ming; Martha, called Mouse, who married Mr. Aileywine; Mink; 
Willie Wright; William; James, and Frank Wright. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


579 


Mary Jane, the ninth child of Lewis Lee, married twice, first to 
Mr. Mills, and secondly Mr. May, by whom she had two children 
—Enoch and Levina. 

WALTER WASHINGTON LEE, SR. 

The descendants of Walter Washington Lee, Sr., and his wife, 
Sarah Philips Lee, will now be considered. 

Lott Warren Lee, the first child of W. W. Lee, Sr., married 
Carrie Elizabeth Farmer about 1870, and their children are Sid¬ 
ney Warren, Gordon, Ga., James Lewis, M. D., Pinehurst; Sarah 
Elizabeth, who married Taylor Miller of Macon, Ga., Robert 
Farmer, Daniel, Isaac, and Rhesa Walter. 

Sidney W. Lee married Miss Maggie Stripling, and to them were 
born Joe Warren, who married Mattie Nell Wright; they have 
three children, Martha, Wright and Cater; Mollie Carolyn, who 
married Erick Miller, has three children named Sidney Smith, 
Catherine Miller, and Marjorie Lee. The third child of S. W. Lee 
is Reese Monroe Lee. 

James Lewis Lee, M. D., married Perdita Owens and to them 
were born Ruth and Anna Jimmie. Perdita Owens Lee is descended 
from Richard Darling Owens through his son George Alex Owens. 

Sarah E. Lee married Taylor Miller, Jr., one child, Lee Miller, 
being the issue. 

Robert Farmer Lee is married and lives in Savannah. 

Daniel Isaac Lee married Miss Roughton and lives in Macon. 

Rhesa Walter Lee married Miss Laura Eugene Miller, their 
children being Zachery and Catherine Eugenia. 

Lott Warren Lee was twice married, the second wife being Mrs. 
Alice Dennard Bragg, who had two children by her former husband, 
Bessie, and Evelyn. Bessie married Ernest Carswell and lives in 
Americus. Evelyn lives in Detroit. 

Lott Warren Lee was a man of integrity, honor, and influence. 
For many years he was treasurer of the Ebenezer Baptist church 
and clerk of the Gordon Baptist church. As farmer, merchant and 
broker, he succeeded in supporting and educating a large family of 
children, in the meanwhile dispensing his possessions liberally in the 
support of the kingdom of God. 


Walter Washington Lee, Jr., M. D., the fourth child of W. W. 



580 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Lee, Sr., married Mollie Elizabeth Oliphant about 1871, and their 
children are William Green, Emma Pauline, James Warren, and 
Fannie Belle. 

William Green Lee, M. D., Macon, Ga., married Christine Cole 
and to them were born Christine, W. G., Jr., and Madison Cole. 

Emma Pauline Lee married Leon Dennard and lives in Macon, 
Ga., to them were born Lois Elizabeth, married Walton E. Mize, 
and Elsie who married Lewis Simonton. 

James Warren Lee, Memphis, Tenn., married Mattie Gay 
Tomlinson and to them was born Maline. 

Fannie Belle Lee married J. William Willums, Macon, Ga., and 
to them were born Wynelle, who married Edward Benton, Doris 
and Lee. 

Lewis Lee the second son of W. W. Lee, Sr., married Eugenia 
Smith and to them was born a son Rajunond. 


Daniel Green Lee the fifth child of W. W. Lee, Sr., married 
Julia Pauline Whitehurst about 1879 and their children are Walter 
Mayberry (now deceased), Sarah Catherine, Ida Caroline, Lott 
Warren, Daniel Paul, and Burke Whitehurst. 

Walter Mayberry Lee, Th. D., married Lala Sublette, and to 
them were born Jewell Alice, Daniel Sublette, Walter, Jr., Ever- 
ette, Hubert and Burke Alva. Family lives in Franklin, N. C. 

Sarah Catherine Lee, married Granville Conner Henry and 
lives in Cordele, Ga. to them were born Jewell, Conner and Dan. 

Ida Caroline Lee, married William S. Fishburne and lives in 
Montgomery, Ala., to them were born Margaret, William, Jr., and 
Paul Lee. 

Lott Warren Lee, D.-D. S., of Milledgeville, married Elizabeth 
Slaughter and to them were born Slaughter and Mary Caroline. 

Daniel Paul Lee, Gordon, Ga., married Alma Jackson and to 
them were born Mary Pauline and Daniel Franklin. 

Burke Whitehurst Lee, Jacksonville, Fla., married Ethel Bragg 
and to them were born Mayberry and Burke. 


Ida Lee the only daughter of W. W. Lee, Sr., married Jonah G. 
Pearson and died without issue. 




HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


581 


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM GREENE LEE 
(By Myrick Hilsman) 

One of Wilkinson County’s sons is Dr. William Greene Lee, 
who was born six miles from Jeffersonville, November 26, 1875. 

Walter Washington Lee, who was the grandfather of Dr. Lee, 
married a widow, Sarah Burke Rozar. Five children were born to 
this union, including Walter Washington Lee II who was Dr. Lee’s 
father. Walter Washington Lee II married Mollie Elizabeth 
Oliphant and to this union four children were born, namely, Dr. 
William Greene Lee, James W. Lee, Mrs. Fannie Belle Willums, 
and Mrs. Leon Dennard. 

When Dr. Lee was eight years old the family moved from Jef¬ 
fersonville to Gordon. He received his primary education in Irwin- 
ton. Later he attended school in Vienna and medical school at 
Augusta. 

In 1895 he entered Mercer University at Macon, but only re¬ 
mained at Mercer one year, and entered the University of Georgia, 
at Augusta, Georgia, in the fall of 1895. He delivered the vale¬ 
dictory address to his class of sixty students, graduating in April, 
1899. Dr. Lee then began the practice of medicine in Macon, May 
1, 1899, and practiced through 1907. 

It was at this time that he began his business career and from 
1908 up to the present time (1929) he has been unusual power 
among the business circles of Georgia. 

Dr. Lee, believing in the future of Middle Georgia, and with 
his customary business foresight, purchased considerable undevel¬ 
oped property in Macon and surrounding country, and began to 
ffevelop and improve it, and came to practice the ideals of Rotary 
long before Rotary was ever established in Macon. It might be 
said here that he was one of the charter members of the Macon 
Rotary Club. 

In following Dr. Lee’s public activities one is amazed at the 
various enterprises in which he has been prominently connected. As 
a dealer in live stock he has been extraordinarily instrumental in the 
furthering of agriculture in middle Georgia. He operates three 
farms himself, and has always stood ready and willing to make the 
burdens of the farmer light. 

He soon became vitally interested in higher education and has 


582 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


for a long time been one of the Trustees of Mercer University, and 
his contributions to this Baptist Institution have made it possible 
for many deserving boys to secure a higher education. He served 
as chairman of the Building Committee of Mercer during the ex¬ 
pansion campaign, and is also a member of the Executive Com¬ 
mittee. He also served as Vice-President and Treasurer of The 
Mercer Alumni Association. In addition to these duties he has served 
a number of years as a member of the Athletic Board of Control. 
From evidencing his interest in education he became an honorary 
member of the Board of Trustees of the Central City College, a 
negro Baptist Institution located at Macon, and at present is a 
member of the Alexander School Board. 

One of his first acts upon moving to Macon was to join the 
Chamber of Commerce, and he has always been very active in 
Chamber of Commerce work. He has, since its organization in 
Macon, been a prominent member of the Rotary Club, and was its 
president one year, 1927 to 1928. 

He served as City Alderman for two years during which time 
he was Chairman of the Street Committee, Chairman of Sidewalk 
Committee, and Chairman of the Tax Committee, and was also a 
member of the finance committee. Due to his able leadership and 
foresight, the activities of his committees had a great effect upon 
Macon for growth and development, for under his supervision a 
number of parks including Tattnall Square Park received their 
first sizeable appropriation. 

Dr. Lee has served as Treasurer and Manager of the Baconsfield 
Park Commission for a long term of years. This is a special com¬ 
mission composed of four ladies and three men who have exclusive 
charge of the one hundred and seventeen acre tract of land that 
was donated to the City by the late Senator A. O. Bacon, to be 
specifically used as a park. 

He is also one of the four Trustees of Senator A. O. Bacon 
estate which comprises some five hundred acres which the Trustees 
have developed to a very high degree, making a portion of this estate 
into one of Macon’s most exclusive residential sections. 

Dr. Lee was Vice-Chairman of the Macon Auditorium Commis¬ 
sion, which was in charge of the building of the beautiful audi¬ 
torium. This auditorium was built at a total cost of $795,000.00 
and the handling of expenditures of this large sum, was made in 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


583 


such an efficient manner that competent men expressed the opinion 
that Macon has an auditorium that would in the North or East cost 
about $1,250,000.00. This building was turned over to the city with 
every item paid, and a few dollars of appropriation unexpended. 

In January, 1929, he became the active full-time chairman of 
the Board of Directors of the Macon National Bank, and the 
Macon Savings Bank. He is recognized throughout the state as 
having unusual foresight and executive judgment in financial mat¬ 
ters. 

He is a very prominent member of the First Baptist Church of 
Macon, and has served for a number of years on the Finance 
Committee. 

It might be truthfully said that Dr. Lee has two hobbies, one of 
them being his three children, and the other flowers. His estate in 
Shirley Hills is one of the show places of Macon, and he can be 
seen riding or swimming with his two boys and girl, or else proudly 
showing some visitors or passersby his beautiful estate and its wealth 
of flowers. He has one of the most enormous Azalea and Camelia 
Japonica gardens in the South, having 3000 Azaleas and 600 Camelia 
Japonica, and hundreds of other beautiful shrubs and flowers. He 
also has on his estate a swimming pool which is very popular with 
the entire neighborhood in the summer months, and a fishing pond 
which is almost running over with bream and speckle cat. 

He was married in December, 1914, to Christine Cole, of New- 
nan, Georgia. His children are Christine Cole Lee, 12 years old; 
W. G. Lee, Jr., 11 years old, and Madison Cole Lee, 8 years old. 

SIDNEY WARREN LEE 

Sidney Warren Lee, oldest son of Lott Warren Lee and Carrie 
(Farmer) Lee, was born October 22nd, 1871, at the home of his 
grandfather Farmer on Mount Moriah Camp Ground in Jefferson 
county. He became a member of this same Methodist church—his 
mother’s church—at the age of sixteen. He had four brothers, 
James Lewis, Robert Farmer, Daniel Ike and Walter Rhesa; one 
sister, Sara Elizabeth. 

His earlier years were spent on his father’s farm in Turkey 
Creek District of Wilkinson county and his first schooling was 
obtained at the Manson school. But later, at the age of nine years, 
his father having moved into Ramah District on the “Solomon 


584 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Mountain Place” or better known as the “Will Fitzpatrick Place,” 
he attended the Gordon schools for a number of terms. From here 
he went to the Louisville, Ga., and the Cartersville, Ga., boarding 
schools, at which places, his uncle, D. G. Lee was serving as Princi¬ 
pal. 

After this he worked for a while on his father’s farm and then 
accepted a position with the Central of Georgia Railroad. He re¬ 
signed in order that he might stay with his invalid mother, at the 
same time clerking in his uncle’s store. 

At the age of twenty-four he was married to Miss Maggie Strip¬ 
ling, the daughter of Francis Monroe and Marie Ann (Blow) 
Stripling of Jones County, the wedding taking place at Gordon, at 
the home of Captain and Mrs. F. S. Barclay the latter being the 
bride’s sister, and the ceremony being performed by Rev. W. D. 
Dewell. Born to this union were three children: Joe Warren, 
Carrie Elizabeth and Reese Monroe. 

Joe Warren married Miss Mattie Mell Wright of Covington, 
Newton County, and born to this union were four children: Mar¬ 
tha, Wright, Cater and Charlotte (deceased at the age of one year). 
Carrie Elizabeth married Eric Ernest Miller of Jones county and 
to them were born three children, Sidney, Catherine and Marjorie. 
Reese Monroe has never married. 

The next few years after his marriage, were spent on his farm 
which he had purchased on “The Ridge.” Then during the years 
1898 and 1899 he taught the Clear Creek school, and the two years 
following at the Ridge Academy. In 1902 he moved to Gordon and 
was one of the first R. F. D. mail carriers out of Gordon, serving 
in this capacity until 1908. 

In 1903 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and from 
then took a great interest in this order, serving for a time as Wor¬ 
shipful Master of the lodge and later as Worshipful Master of the 
Tenth District Masonic Association. He sought at all times to 
practice the precepts and follow the admonitions incumbent on all 
true Masons. 

After his removal to Gordon, he became a Steward in the Meth¬ 
odist church and for several years was Superintendent of the Sunday 
School, and in every way possible gave his fullest support to the 
advancement of the cause of Christianity. Earnest, conscientious and 
consecrated, his life has meant much to the Methodist church at 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


585 


Gordon. In 1905 when it became necessary to build a new church, 
he was selected as one of the building committee. Though with 
limited funds at their disposal a building was erected which will 
serve all the needs of the denomination for many years yet to come. 

Possibly, to Mr. Lee, the crowning achievement of his life was 
when the last brick was laid and the Gordon High School was 
ready for the pupils. For years this had been the end towards which 
he had been toiling. His schooling elsewhere, his years of teaching 
in the schools of the county had awakened to him the great need 
of better school facilities. He had first led the fight for the voting 
of a local tax for the better support of the schools which had been 
successful. His active interest was so pronounced that he was elected 
a member of the school board and then as Secretary-Treasurer. 
He was continuously reminding the people of the need of a new 
building and at an opportune moment he with others succeeded in 
getting a vote on the question of school bonds which resulted in 
their favor. As a member of the schoolhouse building committee, 
he was most enthusiastically active. Though built during the World 
War and at a time when labor was hard to get, he threw himself 
wholeheartedly into the work, giving much of his time, and in every 
way offering special inducements to the laborers to stay on the job. 
Striving against the disadvantages and successfully overcoming all 
obstacles, the house was completed. It might well be termed a monu¬ 
ment to his unselfish efforts in behalf of the school children of 
Gordon. 

For twenty years Mr. Lee was actively engaged in the mercantile 
business in Gordon, and during the same years served as Director 
in the Peoples Bank and Farmers and Merchants Bank of Gordon, 
He served as Alderman and during 1923 and 1924 as Mayor of 
Gordon. He was appointed and served as a member of the Wil¬ 
kinson County Board of Education for a while, but failing health 
caused him to resign. 

During the years 1917-1920 Mr. Lee served as a member of the 
County Commissioners of Roads and Revenues. It was in this ca¬ 
pacity that he demonstrated to the people of Wilkinson county those 
traits of character which stamped him a man worthy of trust. 
Elected Chairman of that board, he presided in a business-like man¬ 
ner and convinced everyone that he regarded the public funds as 
a public trust. Courteous and kind-hearted, yet he was ever firm 


586 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


in his ideas of right and justice and could not be swayed from the 
path of duty by friendship, by selfish desires, by promises of politi¬ 
cal preferment. He was not a politician in the usual sense of the 
word, but the type of man who should always be honored with 
office. 

Mr. Lee’s death occurred on the 14th of January, 1929, after 
a period of ill health of several months. His body is buried in the 
family cemetery on the Ridge. 

THE LEWIS FAMILY 

“Among the settlers who came to Georgia in the early part of the 
eighteenth century were four Lewis brothers, from Rockingham 
County, N. C. They were the sons of Thomas Lewis, who at one 
time is said to have been a member of the General Assembly of 
North Carolina and who had been connected in a prominent way 
with the development of that state from early colonial days. The 
family was originally from Wales but perhaps came from England 
to America with the early settlers of North Carolina. 

When the four brothers came to Georgia, they settled in Wil¬ 
kinson County near where the town of Gordon is now located on 
what is yet known as Lewis Hill, about twenty miles southeast of 
Macon. The oldest of the boys, James Richard Lewis, was the only 
married one and he settled at the place named above where he spent 
the remainder of his life. The other boys went in different directions, 
one going to or near Savannah, one, Jasper Lewis, locating near 
where the town of Greensboro is now situated and the other going 
south. 

The territory where James Richard Lewis settled had recently 
been obtained from the Indians by a treaty which gave all the land 
lying between the Ocmulgee and the Oconee Rivers to the white 
people for settlement. However, at the time James Richard Lewis 
settled there, having come from North Carolina with his wife, who 
was formerly Elizabeth Rogers, and his young son, Thomas, on 
horseback, found that his new home, notwithstanding the treaty of 
peace, this country was infested with roving tribes of Indians. The 
Indians were not actually on the warpath but were a constant an¬ 
noyance. They would come into the yard and make unfriendly ges¬ 
tures, and hideous faces and would commit thefts about the place. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


587 


Fortunately, however, the few families that made up the first 
settlers were spared a massacre at the hands of the savage. This was 
caused no doubt from the fact that James Richard Lewis was a man 
of kindly nature, a God fearing man, and his treatment of the sav¬ 
age was kind but firm. 

Besides the son, Thomas, who was brought from North Caro¬ 
lina when a very small child, the'following other children were born 
to this pioneer family: James Rogers, John, Etham, Ben, Richard 
and one girl, Elizabeth, who married Archie Smith. James Rogers 
married Sarah Ann Rivers, daughter of Joel Rivers and settled 
about five miles from the old home at what is now known as Lewis’ 
Crossing on the Central of Georgia Railway about four miles 
southeast of Gordon. John Lewis settled in what is now Mitchell 
County, near where Pelham is now located. The younger of the chil¬ 
dren drifted off except the girl, who married as above stated and set¬ 
tled near the old home. 

The first settlement was like unto a potato hill covered with 
straw bark and dirt. James R. Lewis was born under this roof in 
1808. His father was the first man who owned a two-horse wagon in 
Wilkinson count}'. 

James Rogers reared the following children: Richard Joel, W. 
G., Thos. J., Benjamin C., and Satsah, who married Frank Agee, 
Lucretia, who married a Pearson, and Ellen Francis, who married 
Tom Pruitt of Texas, and Sarah Jane, who married W. C. Wood.” 

(The foregoing sketch written by Elder Benjamin C. Lewis, a 
son of James Rogers Lewis, convinces us there is a close relationship 
between this family and that of Governor Gilmer’s mother, who 
was a Lewis as shown in his historical sketch of the Lewis family of 
Virginia in “Georgians.” Also see History of Georgia Baptist, 
sketches p. 62.) 

The history of the Lewis family is intensely interesting. Origin¬ 
ally French Huguenots, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 
1685 forced them to flee across the English Channel and take refuge 
in Brennocshire, Wales. Later, Virginia and North Carolina offer¬ 
ing them havens of refuge, they emigrated to these colonies and re¬ 
mained for several generations, many of whom becoming prominent 
in the public life of those states. 

Throughout his life, James Richard Lewis held the confidence of 
his fellow men. The old records in the courthouse showing where he 


588 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


so frequently was appointed by the courts to serve as Guardian for 
orphans, and as Administrator of Estates proved him to be a man 
worthy of the trust confided in him. Likewise, in the minutes of 
Ramah Church where his membership was for so many years we 
find again unmistakable evidences of a man possessing a deep relig¬ 
ious nature, honesty, and strength of character. 

His son, James Rogers, followirfg in his fathers footsteps became 
a member of the same church and throughout his life was recog¬ 
nized as a pillar of the Primitive Baptist faith. For years he served 
as church clerk. When the present building was erected in 1861 he 
was on the building committee. In all matters pertaining to the good 
of his church, his community, and his county we find him taking an 
active part. 

The children of James Rogers Lewis inherited the same traits of 
character possessed by their ancestors, that same reverent spirit to¬ 
wards the Infinite, the love for the Baptist church, of uprightness 
and honor in their dealings with their fellow man, hospitality to¬ 
ward all who might enter their doors for no one ever visited in their 
homes without ever retaining pleasant memories of their hospitality. 

During his life W. G. Lewis was a faithful member of Friend¬ 
ship Primitive Baptist Church. Likewise Thos. J. was a member of 
the Primitive Baptist Church, and Benjamin C. Lewis is a promi¬ 
nent preacher of the same denomination. 

Richard J. Lewis, son of James Roger and Sarah Ann Lewis 
served throughout the War Between the States in Company F 3rd 
Georgia Regiment, and was wounded twice. He married Exa Eth- 
redge and their children were Clifford, Clarence, Ollie, Hattie, 
Joe, Ben, Cynthia, Richard and Norah. 

Willie G. Lewis enlisted April, 1864, at the age of fifteen, in 
Company D, 8th Georgia Regiment militia. He married Clifford 
C. Hughs, daughter of James Childs and Mildred Patterson 
Hughs. Their children are: Leila May, James R., Rufus Roger, Sa¬ 
rah, Georgia, John William, Celestia, Erasmus, Annie, Clifford, 
Hubert, and Thomas. 

Thomas J. Lewis married first, Mollie Wood; their children: 
Sarah Alice, Agnes, James Augustus, Ada Lee, Richard, Addie 
Anna, Angie, T. J., Jr., and Elice. He married second Eula Collins, 
their children: Eugenia, Sarah Grace, John Delmas, Annie Laurie. 

Benjamin C. Lewis married Exa Kingry, settled in Dodge Coun- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


589 


ty and their children are: Lucy Lorena, J. R., Ira, Willie G., Ben 
Terrell, Lonnie, Ellen, Eva Lee, James Otis and Joe Thomas. 

Although at all times maintaining the high esteem of the people 
of Wilkinson County, the members of this family have in few in¬ 
stances sought political honors or political offices. They have pre¬ 
ferred to throw the weight of their political influence to those whom 
they felt most capable of performing the duties incumbent upon the 
office holder. However, we find Thomas Lewis, Coroner in 1816: 
James Richard Lewis, Justice of the Inferior Court in 1828, and 
Tax Receiver in 1833-34-35. 

Most of the Lewises in Wilkinson have been “tillers of the soil.” 
Their farms have ever been noted as examples of prosperity, fertility, 
having the finest crops, domestic animals, etc., of the county, and 
winning for their owners the title of Master Farmers. 

The Lewises have ever been advocates of education. Even during 
the early days of the county when schooling was so rare and an edu¬ 
cation so hard to be obtained, we find them possessing good educa¬ 
tions. When the Union Hill Academy was chartered by the Legis¬ 
lature in 1836, James Richard Lewis was one of the original 
trustees. 


JOHN WILLIAM LINDSEY 

John William Lindsey, son of Isaac and Martha, called Patsy, 
(Moore) Lindsey, was born four miles west of Irwinton, August 
1, 1843. His father, the son of William and Sarah Lindsey, served 
as Sheriff, Tax Collector and held other offices of public trust. He 
raised the following children: Susannah, Green J., John William, 
Milton, Mollie, Matt, Samuel, Sallie and Eli Cummings. 

John William received his education in the Irwinton schools. 
When war was declared, though only 18 years old, he joined Com¬ 
pany 1, 3rd Georgia, and served as private until the surrender, be¬ 
ing wounded several times, the most severe at Spotsylvania. 

In 1868 he was admitted to the Georgia Bar and opened his office 
at Irwinton where his powers of persuasion before the courts and 
juries and his excellent preparation of his cases, soon won for him a 
large practice. 

In 1884 he was elected Representative, which office he held two 
terms. In 1899, he was appointed Pension Commissioners of Geor- 


590 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


gia by Governor Allen D. Candler which office he held until his 
death, August 26, 1922. 

He was married in 1869 to Miss Julia Floreid Tucker, daughter 
of Judge John R. Tucker of Washington County. Of this union 
there were five children: Colonel Julian Lindsey of the General 
Army Staff, Washington, D. C., who served through the World 
War as Brigadier-General in the 82nd Division; Irene, m. A. B. 
Holt; Gertrude, m. J. A. Carswell; Annie, m. E. L. Price; and 
Johnnie. In 1919 he was married to Mrs. Cynthia Henderson 
Manderson. 

In addition to his many other activities, Mr. Lindsey in 1892 was 
appointed to the Board of Visitors to the West Point Military Ac¬ 
ademy. 

Although spending most of his time in Atlanta, there was no spot 
on earth he loved more than Irwinton. He spent much time planting 
trees about the town, improving the church grounds and in every 
way beautifying his property. He owned for several years the old 
Sam Beall home and converted the ravine in the rear of the house 
into a beautiful park. He possessed a most wonderful memory, 
which was well stored with Wilkinson County lore, from which 
many facts set forth in this history are drawn. 

ORIAN WOOD MANSON 

Born March 22, 1889, in Irwinton, Wilkinson county, Ga. 
Died July 3, 1925, Atlanta, Ga. Buried July 4, 1925, Irwinton, 
Ga. 

Mrs. Manson was the sixth daughter of Dr. Joshua Soule 
Wood and his wife, Emma Graybill Wood. Following a High 
School course at Talmadge Institute, she entered Wesleyan College, 
but on account of ill health was forced to abandon her college ca¬ 
reer. At the age of eighteen she was married to F. C. Manson of 
Jonesboro, Ga., and to them was born one son, F. Crawford Man- 
son, Jr., now a resident of Lovejoy, Ga. 

From her early girlhood, Mrs. Manson was intensely interested 
in social reforms. She became associated with the W. C. T. U. of 
Georgia as state director of the department of anti-narcotics and 
was instrumental in having memorial to General Conference of the 
M. E. Church, south, passed by the North Georgia Conference, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


591 


which later resulted in a law requiring all young ministers entering 
the conferences of this church to refrain from the use of tobacco in 
any form. 

She was at one time assistant editor and business manager of the 
Irwinton Bulletin. During the World War, she served her county 
both on the Council of Defense and as Chairman of the Victory 
Loan Drive for the fourth loan. She had the distinction of being 
the only woman Chairman of a county drive in the United States. 
In previous loan drives, she headed the Woman’s Committee for 
her county. 

But her great life-work, the one into which she poured all the 
zeal of her mother soul, was as Superintendent of the Georgia 
Training School for Boys located at Milledgeville. She was elected 
to this position in 1921 by the Board of Trustees of the institution, 
the only woman in the world at that time to hold such a position. 
For two years prior to her election, she had served as a member of 
the Board of Visitors to this school, having been appointed by Gov¬ 
ernor Hugh M. Dorsey. Viewing those unfortunate boys through 
the eyes of a Christian and a mother, she became enamored of the 
idea of making this state institution for wayward boys a real school 
of character. During her short administration she completely 
changed the ideals of conduct for the institution. Her own ideals 
are perhaps best told in her own words, culled from her first report 
to the Georgia legislature: 

“To train a delinquent or neglected boy to make a good citizen; 
to teach him honesty, truthfulness, obedience, thoroughness in work, 
cleanliness in body and mind; to teach him a trade so that he will 
be an asset instead of a liability to the State; through text-book, 
practice and example, to teach him to reverence the laws of his 
community, his country and his God, and to regard the Bible as the 
guide to happiness in this life and in the eternity to come.” 

Mrs. Manson was also appointed by the Governor of her state 
as a member of the Georgia Memorial Commission of which Hon. 
Andrew J. Cobb of Athens was Chairman. 

(By Mrs. Marvin Williams.) 

john McArthur 

John McArthur was born in 1826, the son of John McArthur, 
1782-1846, and his wife, Harriet Pace, whom he married in Wash- 


592 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ington County, Georgia in 1813; grandson of Daniel McArthur 
born in Scotland, 1741, married, 1774 to Jannette McArthur, 
born 1752 of the same name but no blood relation. In 1774 they 
emigrated to Roberson County, North Carolina, where Daniel 
served in the Revolutionary War. 

Our subject’s father moved to Wilkinson County in 1816 and 
later to Bibb County in 1826. He served in the War of 1812. 

John McArthur was married to Winnifred Rivers, daughter of 
Joel Rivers in Wilkinson County, November 28, 1850, and made 
his home in this county. 

Before the War Between the States he was a member of the 
Whig Party and was opposed to secession, but when Georgia se¬ 
ceded, he was one of the first to volunteer and was active in or¬ 
ganizing the Ramah Volunteer Guards. By reason of his activities 
in organizing this company, he was offered the office of Captain, 
but declined to serve as such and was mustered in as Orderly Ser¬ 
geant in Company B, 14th Georgia Regiment, which Regiment 
became part of Thomas’ Brigade, A. P. Hill’s Division, Stone¬ 
wall Jackson’s Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, C. C. Kelly, 
Captain, and Robert Folsom, Colonel. He became a Lieutenant 
and was again offered the office of Captain, but declined. On ac¬ 
count of the cold winter in Virginia he had pneumonia, followed 
by rheumatism, which partly incapacitated him for the remainder 
of his life, causing him to resign his commission, but he remained 
in the army until he was finally elected Tax Collector of Wilkinson 
County, Georgia, and was certified as such by the Clerk of the 
Superior Court, January 22, 1864. On April 30, 1864 he was hon¬ 
orably discharged and returning home served as Tax Collector of 
his county until close of the war. While home he became a mem¬ 
ber of the Home Guards and was serving as such when Sherman’s 
Army made its destructive march through Georgia, passing in 
front of his home. 

When the Board of County Commissioners of Wilkinson County 
was created in 1873 he was one of those appointed. He and his 
wife were most faithful members of the Ramah Primitive Baptist 
Church for many years. His sincerity, honesty, and integrity were 
seldom equaled and never excelled, and made for him a name in 
Wilkinson County that is honored and respected by every one who 
ever knew him. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


593 


The children of John and Winnifred McArthur were Charles 
A., John Joel, (married Georgia Robinson), for twenty-four 
years Justice of the Peace at Gordon ; Mary Harriet, (married Wil¬ 
liam Robinson, Dover, Georgia) ; William Daniel, (married Sabra 
Yawn) died 1902, family resides at McRae, Georgia; Sarah Eliza¬ 
beth, (married James Robinson, Dover, Georgia) ; Doctor Rich¬ 
ard Samuel, (married Lucy Stanley), was a prominent Dentist of 
Wilkinson County, died 1902, buried at Old McArthur Cemetery 
on Irwinton and Macon Highway in Wilkinson County; James 
F., (married Elizabeth Whiteside) resides in Atlanta, Georgia; 
Doctor Thomas J. McArthur, (married Mrs. S'annie Henderson 
Horne), he is one of the most outstanding men in his community 
and State, resides at Cordele, Georgia; Doctor A. Lee, (married 
Willie Glover) and is a prominent Dentist of Cordele; Lewis R., 
(married, first, Eva Henderson of Unadilla, Georgia and, second, 
Carrie Wisenbaker of Valdosta, Georgia), resides at Valdosta; 
Laura died at age 16. 

WILLIAM THOMAS McGINTY 

Among the first settlers of that portion of Wilkinson County on 
the west side of the Old Indian Boundary Line when the limits of 
the county were extended by the Legislature following the Treaty 
of Washington in 1805 came William Thomas McGinty, who 
made his home on the “Ridge” separating Commissioner and Big 
Sandy Creeks, where the old Hartford Road crosses the Irwinton 
and Macon Highway. 

The number of families closely connected by blood or marriage 
came with him, among these being the Castleburvs, the Gays and 
others, making their homes also in this vicinity. 

These families had no sooner completed the building of their 
cabins and cleared the necessary fields than they set about organizing 
a church. Ramah Church, the oldest church now in existence in the 
county, was the result and we find McGinty as one of the original 
members. 

At his own expense and without the aid of the other members of 
the church, McGinty built the first church—although the members 
later agreed to pay him something. The old minutes of Ramah show 
that he was a very active member and was constantly laboring for its 
upbuilding. 


594 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


In 1809, his known ability caused him to be selected by the Geor¬ 
gia Legislature as one of the Commissioners to construct the Hart¬ 
ford Road. The urgent necessity of building this road with the least 
possible delay in order to avert the Great Crisis about to confront 
Georgia, bespeaks for him the confidence of the General Assembly 
in his ability and his patriotism. It was necessary to draft the able- 
bodied men subject to such duties, assign into squads, direct clearing 
of the underbrush, the cutting of the big trees to a level with the 
ground, the leveling of the rough places, the making passable of 
boggy places and streams, and all the other things essential to the 
construction of a road through “the forest primeval.” Recently 
when the John Ball Chapter, D. A. R., erected the marker on the 
Old Hartford Road, the site of his old home was selected. 

The growing travel between Milledgeville, Marion and Hart¬ 
ford and the establishing of a line of stage coaches made it necessary 
for stations to be established every ten miles where the tired horses 
having been driven at a gallop the greater part of the way were ex¬ 
changed for fresh ones, which had been hastily harnessed and gotten 
ready when the stage driver’s bugle was heard in the distance an¬ 
nouncing his approach. Quick to grasp the opportunity McGinty 
built a tavern which tradition says was well equipped to satisfy 
the hunger as well as the thirst of the wayfarer. 

In 1821, he was made Judge of the Inferior Court of Wilkinson 
County which office he held for several } r ears. 

William Thomas McGinty was born Sept. 29th, 1784, and mar¬ 
ried Sarah Castleberry about 1804 or 1805, who was born Dec. 16, 
1780. Their children were: Polly, born November 6, 1806; Mary 
Ann, b. January 8, 1808; Elizabeth Jones, b. September 28, 1809; 
Milly, b. January 17, 1811 ; Robert, b. May 23, 1812; William, b. 
June 22, 1814; Nancy, b. August 23, 1816; Jackson, b. January 
15, 1818; Deborah, b. August 17, 1819; Katherine, b. January 26, 
1822. Late in life William Thomas McGinty went to Arkansas 
where he made his home with some of his children who had moved 
there years before. He died and was buried in Arkansas. 

His daughter (Milly) married William M. Cooper, a noted 
Baptist preacher, who served Ramah Church several years begin¬ 
ning his service in 1856. In addition to serving Ramah and other 
churches, Mr. Cooper organized Mt. Carmel Baptist Church a few 
miles north of McIntyre and served it for a time. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


595 


Prior to his call to the ministry, Mr. Cooper served as Deputy 
Clerk of the Inferior Court, 1838, and in 1840-41 as Sheriff of 
Wilkinson County. 

The children of William M. Cooper and Milly, his wife, were: 
Mary, Jane, Thomas Jefferson, Emily, James, Elizabeth, Gattie, 
Malinda, who married W. R. Fenn, and Catherine, who died 
young. 

Thomas Jefferson Cooper, married Sarah Ann Etheredge in Wil¬ 
kinson County on May 30, 1858, and they are the parents of James 
Oliver Cooper one of the most popular and efficient railroad men of 
this section having served the people of this community since 1885. 

MEREDITH 

The three Meredith brothers, Charles, Samuel, and John, di¬ 
rect descendants of Lord William Meredith of England, came 
from Wales before the Revolutionary War. Charles settled in Vir¬ 
ginia and Samuel in North Carolina. John came to Georgia after 
the Revolution and settled first in Franklin County, then in Wash¬ 
ington County, then in Wilkinson, taking up land east of Tooms- 
boro near the Oconee River and being numbered among the very 
first settlers in the county. He married a French lady — Joyce. 
Their children were: John, (m. Susanna Williamson) William 
(moved to Alabama), Pleasant (moved to Alabama), Samuel, (m. 
— their children were: Charles, Samuel, Robert, William, 
Nancy), Thomas, (moved to Alabama. Married a widow —Wil¬ 
lis. Children were: John and Jesse). 

The children of John and Susanna (Williamson) Meredith 
were: Charles, (married Katherine Presswmod. Children were 
John and Nancy) ; Wyatt, (Married Katherine Gibson. Children 
were Mary, (married Willis Allen) and Gibson. After her death 
married widow Mary (Allen) Perkins; Wyley, (married Martha 
Boone first, and Eliza Vaughn second) ; Samuel (born Oct. 30, 
1810, died Aug. 27, 1895, married Elizabeth Burke, daughter of 
Daniel and Mary Trueluck Burke, in 1838. Their children were 
Sarah Rebecca, (married Willis Allen), John, (killed in battle 
Aug. 3, 1862), Mary, (born Sept. 8, 1842, died March, 1881, 
married Dr. Robert Carroll), Susanna, (born July 17, 1846, died 
Sept., 1918), Wyatt (born March 27, 1848, died June 23, 1857), 


596 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Daniel Morgan, (born Sept. 23, 1849, died 1915, married Anna 
Jones), Samuel, (born Nov. 13, 1851, died March 30, 1881, mar¬ 
ried Laura Davis), James Franklin (born Feb. 20, 1854, died Nov. 
12, 1881, married Elizabeth Corbett), Virgil (born June 5, 1859, 
died Jan. 26, 1926, married Elizabeth King) ; Rebecca (married 
William Cooper. Their children were Susanna, John, Milton, 
Mary, Sarah. After his death she married Franklin Boone. Their 
children were Benjamin, Samuel, Joseph, William and Nora). 

The children of Virgil and Elizabeth (King) Meredith are: 
Clara, (married F. O. Moseley, their children are: Evelyn, Frank, 
Max, Lucile; home Montgomery, Ala.) ; Frank, (married Edna 
Chapman, children are: Gladys, Sam, Doris, Jack, Dan, Sophia 
Anne; home, Montgomery, Ala.) ; Mary, (married E. O. Dob¬ 
bins and live in Haynesville, La., children are: Virgil and Jack) ; 
Elizabeth, (married Allen Harrel and live in Montgomery, Ala., 
thev have one child, Meredith). 

(Mrs. W. Allen Harrell.) 

ALEXANDER H. NESBIT AND SARAH JANE 
(JOHNSTON) NESBIT 

Alexander H. Nesbit was born May 7, 1858, near Irwinton, 
the son of Elbert F. (b. 1835, married Oct. 19, 1856, Co. F. 3rd 
Ga. Reg., d. in service, June 26, 1863, buried in National Cemetery, 
Staunton, Va.) and Susannah, Aug. 23, 1839, d. Oct. 10, 1904, 
(Lindsey) Nesbit (see John W. Lindsey sketch); grandson of 
Alexander (Irish descent) and Olive (Brewer) Nesbit, who were 
pioneer settlers of Wilkinson County, and whose old home is yet 
standing after a lapse of a century since it was erected. From his 
boyhood, Alexander H. Nesbit exhibited those sterling qualities of 
honesty and uprightness which won for him the honor and respect 
of all who knew him. Hard work, skillful planning and perse¬ 
verance made him a successful farmer. His untimely death, Octo¬ 
ber 24, 1914, from paralysis, was a shock to his friends and loved 
ones. He sleeps in the Masonic Cemetery by the side of his mother 
who preceded him. He was a member of the Irwinton Masonic 
Lodge where he served as an officer for several years and at his 
death it paid the following tribute to his memory: 

“He was a friend to all and an enemy to none. He labored all 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


597 


of his life for those that were near and dear to him, with an un¬ 
selfishness that is rarely equaled. He thought of others as he traveled 
through life, and always tried and true in his love for his family, 
his community and his county. No man was ever denied a favor if 
it was in his power to grant. He always showed mercy to those 
who needed help, and was at all times willing to throw the broad 
mantle of charity over the shortcomings of men. In his home, his 
love for his wife and children was beautiful to behold. No wish or 
desire of any of them was ever denied if in the power of the husband 
and father to grant. He believed in educating his children and giving 
them an opportunity in life. He leaves a clear record for his children 
to honor, and did his duty whenever called upon, honestly, faith¬ 
fully and mercifully.” 

He was married December 15, 1886, to Sarah Jane Johnston, 
daughter of Edwin Boliver (b. Apr. 17, 1825-Apr. 1, 1909, Co. D, 
8 th Ga. Reg., buried Myrtle Spring Cemetery) and Allie Jane 
(Smith) Johnston (Sept. 26, 1833-May 24, 1867, married about 
1855, buried in family cemetery) ; granddaughter of Elder David 
Smith (May 13, 1794, m. July 29, 1813, d. July 12, 1883, one of 
the most famous Primitive Baptist preachers of the 19th Century) 
and Lydia (Williams) Smith, (his first wife, April 11, 1797-Jan. 
29, 1850, the latter buried at Allentown ( also granddaughter of 
Green Berry and Sarah (Vaughn) Johnston; great-granddaughter 
of Thomas Johnston, a veteran of the Revolution. Among other 
connections of the family are the Staples, Starkes and Wyatts of 
Virginia, who were Revolutionary heroes. Mrs. Nesbit is a member 
of the Irwinton Baptist Church; is possessed of a friendly and 
kindly personality, a lover of flowers and birds; and although inter¬ 
ested in her church, civic organizations and education, her creed is 
that woman’s highest duty is to her husband and children and she 
gave the best of her life to make their home a happy, contented one. 

Their children are: Fleta Jane, (see J. E. Butler sketch) ; Sarah 
Carol, (see H. A. Cliett sketch). Edna Mae, (see sketch of Mrs. 
Victor Davidson). 

WILLIAM CRAVEN PATTERSON 

William Patterson, the father of William Craven Patterson, was 
born in North Carolina, November 6, 1813, was married to Eliza¬ 
beth Denton in 1835. He moved first to Union County, Georgia, 


598 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


living there until 1858, when he moved to Milledgeville, Ga. After 
living there a short time he moved to Stevens Pottery and a short 
time later to Wilkinson County, where he was living at the be¬ 
ginning of the War Between the States. He with five of his sons 
enlisted; and he was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864, his 
wife dying with grief in November, following. 

Their children were: Mary, Joseph, John, William, Samuel, 
James, Nancy, Alfred, Carrie, Jefferson, Silas, Eliza, Andrew, 
Reuben and Ivey. 

William Craven Patterson, who was born April 5th, 1841, in 
Union County, was one of the five sons who enlisted and served 
throughout the war in Co. D 57th Ga., Regiment, and was hon¬ 
orably discharged in 1865. His skill with a fife was such that instead 
of having a bugler, he was made “Fifer” for his company. His fife 
was one he had bought with the first money he made when he was 
a boy. At his death, the fife was buried with him at the request of his 
wife. 

He was married October 23, 1867, to Elizabeth D. Cooper, 
daughter of William M. Cooper, once Sheriff of Wilkinson County, 
and a noted Primitive Baptist minister who served Camp Creek 
Church in Baldwin County; Ramah, Mt. Carmel and probably 
other churches in Wilkinson for several years. Their children were: 
Sarah M. m. S. R. Brown; Mattie A. m. L. J. Fountain; Cora I. 
m. A. N. Torrence; Mary E. m. C. B. Ivey; Gattie W.; Lula E. 
m. James Wheeler. 

Elizabeth Cooper Patterson was received by experience and bap¬ 
tized May 23, 1868, at Camp Creek, Elder Scarborough, Mode¬ 
rator, and William C. Patterson was received by experience and 
baptized Aug. 26, 1876, Camp Creek Church, Elder Kiel, Mod¬ 
erator. They were faithful members till death, he missed only three 
monthly conference meetings from May, 1868, these being on ac¬ 
count of sickness in the family and death of two members of the 
church. He never had a case in court nor was a witness. His wife 
died May 13, 1899, leaving him sad and lonely, but he ever served 
his Master till he was called home* April 26, 1911. 

(Sketch prepared by Mrs. Emma Jane Patterson Fountain) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


599 


REV. JAMES LEE PITTMAN 

Rev. James Lee Pittman, pastor of the Gordon Baptist Church 
and County School Superintendent of Wilkinson County, was born 
at Deepstep, Washington County, Georgia, March 27, 1892. 
Though not descended from any of the historic Wilkinson County 
families, yet having selected the county for his home and having 
entered into the educational as well as the religious life of the 
county, he has been received with open arms by the people here. 
He came to the county in response to the call of the Gordon Baptist 
Church in 1927 and has been so serving since. In his pastoral work 
his manifest consecration to the cause of Christianity, his devotion 
to the members of his flock, his loving sympathy in time of trouble, 
—none too poor, none too humble, for him to visit in times of sick¬ 
ness or distress—all have endeared him to those who have viewed 
his work year by year. Not only is he appreciated for his worth by 
the members of his own church but also by those of other denomina¬ 
tions. 

In 1927, he was asked to add to his work as pastor, the Principal- 
ship of the Gordon High School. He performed the duties of this 
position so well that in February, 1929, the office of County School 
Superintendent becoming vacant, he was elected by the County 
Board of Education. 

He entered this latter office under great disadvantages, due to 
a heavy indebtedness overhanging the schools, added to the finan¬ 
cial troubles of the State Department of Education which delayed 
the payments of funds due from the State. However, he has ac¬ 
tively gone to work remedying such conditions wherever it lay in his 
power to so do and since his taking over the work a considerable 
reduction of the indebtedness has been brought about. He is putting 
into execution other plans which promise to cut expenses at the 
same time make more efficient the schools of the county. 

Mr. Pittman is the son of James M. and Mary Elizabeth (Glad- 
in) Pittman; grandson of James H. and Margie Ann (Hood) 
Pittman and of Lee Anderson Gladin and Abigail Penny (Rob¬ 
erts) Gladin. 

He is the great-grandson of Rev. James Roberts, who was the 
son of Reverend Benjamin Roberts, both prominent Baptist Min¬ 
isters in the early part of the 19th century, and both of whom 


600 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


served at different times as pastor of Bulah Baptist Church in Han¬ 
cock County. In connection with these forebears a very peculiar 
coincidence came about after our subject entered the ministry. He 
accepted the call to serve this same church and one Sunday, having 
determined upon his text, took the ancient church Bible and opened 
it at the place. Noticing some writing on the margin he paused to 
read his great-great-grandfather’s initials opposite this text. Just 
under that was his great-grandfather’s initials. He added his own 
name below the others and the date when he used it. 

Mr. Pittman was married March 27, 1912, to Cora Irene An¬ 
drews, the daughter of Lee and Ella (Avant) Andrews, who was 
the daughter of Rev. A. S. Avant, of Washington County' 

Mr. Pittman’s early education was limited to the seventh grade, 
this being acquired at Deepstep. After his marriage he felt the 
call to the ministry and at once began to prepare himself. He first 
attended Locust Grove Institute for three years, then spent one 
year at Sandersville High School. After this he attended Mercer 
University where after taking his A.B. Degree he spent two years 
on his Theological course. 

He now entered actively into his ministerial duties and during 
the years since served the following churches: Nazareth, near Zebu- 
Ion, Ga.; Clear Creek and Gordon, Wilkinson Co.; Antioch, 
Twiggs Co.; Salem, Baldwin Co.; Salem, Jones Co.; Warrenville, 
Eureka, S. C.; Warthen, Union, Washington Co.,* Antioch, Taylor 
Co.; Mikado, Bibb Co.; Bulah, Hancock Co. Since entering the 
ministry Mr. Pittman has baptized hundreds of persons and con¬ 
ducted even more funerals. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pittman have four children: Oreila Belle, James 
Anderson, Obed Lee and Harold Steifel. 

In his Association during a ten days meeting sixty were added 
to the church. In his own pastorate during a ten days meeting ninety 
were added to the church and forty baptized at one service. 

LEON P. PLAYER 

Leon P. Player was born September 23, 1885, at the old family 
home of the Players near Irwinton, where his grandfather, S. T. 
Player, settled more than a century ago. The latter was, unques¬ 
tionably, one of the most remarkable men that ever lived in the 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


601 


county. After obtaining as good an education as the schools of the 
county afforded he taught school for a few years serving as Justice 
of Peace and reading law at the same time. After being admitted to 
the bar he began his practice at Irwinton, which was interrupted 
when the War Between the States came on. He, with Dr. J. B. 
Duggan and others raised a company of men, Company A of the 
49th Georgia Regiment of which he was chosen Captain, and ten¬ 
dered their services to the Confederacy. Of a fine military figure 
and possessing a commanding personality, his promotion was rapid, 
soon being made Colonel of the Regiment. His record during this 
war was a most enviable one, and the survivors of his command 
still voice his praises. In 1864 following his election to the Legisla¬ 
ture by his county, he resigned from his Regiment and took his 
place in the Legislative halls. The subject of this sketch is the proud 
possessor of his grandfather’s sword and watch which he carried 
through the war. 

Colonel Player was married to Miss Nancy Ann Freeman. One 
of his sons, William James Player, the father of Leon P., was a 
successful farmer, later serving as Coroner and then Sheriff. Mr. 
Player’s mother was Miss Mary Elizabeth Hatfield, the daughter 
of Joe Ellis Hatfield and Martha Freeman Hatfield, and the grand¬ 
daughter of George Washington and Cynthia Freeman, and of 
Richard and Rebecca (Brown) Hatfield. (See R. A. Bell Sketch.) 

At his father’s death our subject he was elected to fill the vacancy, 
holding the record of being the youngest Sheriff in Georgia. For 
fifteen years he held this office. Mr. Player was recently appointed 
State License Inspector in which position he is earning for himself 
the reputation of being one of the most active and efficient inspectors 
of the state. 

During the World War, Mr. Player was appointed on the Se¬ 
lective Service Board for Wilkinson County and served faithfully 
on this throughout the duration of the war. 

He is a member of the Methodist Church, at Irwinton, a Mason 
and throughout his whole life has been a loyal Democrat. 

He was married July 30, 1922, to Miss Julia Floreid Carswell, 
daughter of James A. and Gertruda (Lindsey) Carswell. 


602 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


JOHN FLOYD PORTER 

John Floyd Porter was born November 15, 1851, the son of 
Thomas Redding (1814-1876) and Lucinda (Rye, 1826-1903) 
Porter. Thomas R. was the son of Julius and — (Crutchfield) 
Porter. Lucinda was the daughter of John and — Rye. The Ryes 
were early settlers of the county, Ambrose being a brother and 
Sarah (m. Elijah Hogan) being a sister of John. Mary Rye, a 
widow of a Revolutionary Soldier is found in the Lottery List of 
1827 (reprint by Miss Martha Lou Houston) in High Hill Dis¬ 
trict of Wilkinson County. 

Several members of the Porter family seems to have settled in 
this county and Porter’s Creek evidently took its name from them. 
The early records of Pleasant Plains Church indicate that the Por¬ 
ters were Primitive Baptist in their denomination preference, and 
this characteristic is still evident among the older members of the 
f amity. 

From the earliest period the Porters were the owners of well 
tilled plantations and were considered among the best farmers of 
the county, owning a number of slaves. 

Our subject like his ancestors has spent his life on the farm and is 
one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He bears the re¬ 
spect of everyone who knows him. Frank, friendly, generous to a 
fault, hospitable,—all his hosts of friends find a ready welcome in 
his home. No man was ever more loyal than he. His is that rare 
type that causes him to exert himself to the utmost, sparing no 
pain nor effort, when his friend is in need. 

He was married first to Julia Tabytha, the daughter of W. P. 
Williams (See W. C. Williams sketch), Dec. 23, 1875. Of this 
union there is one son, W. Thomas, (m. Mary Taylor). He was 
married second Dec. 15, 1881, to Fannie, the daughter of Nimrod 
J. (son of William Brown) Mar. 28-, 1803- July 22, 1845) and 
Artemissa (Burke) Brown, (see Burke Sketch), and Ruth (Whip¬ 
ple) Brown (see Whipple sketch). Their children are: Julia, m. 
Carlton G. Kitchens; Lester L., m. Ruth Hicks; John F., m. Clara 
Bradley; Ruth, m. H. G. McKee; Dora, m. Dr. Fletcher Hanson. 
Mrs. Porter is descended from several lines of patriotic ancestors 
and takes an active interest in the D. A. R. of which she is a faithful 
member. Her greatest delight, however, has ever been the making 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


603 


of a happy home for her husband and children. Her loving kind¬ 
ness, her interest in the welfare of others, her sweet disposition, her 
beauty of soul, makes everyone love her. 

RUTH WHIPPLE PUGH 

Ruth Mildred, daughter of Stephen (1799-1848) and Ruth 
Mitchell (1808-1840) Whipple, was born at the old Whipple 
Place in Wilkinson County, April 26, 1840. After her mother’s 
death she was placed in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Gross, 
close friends of the family residing in Macon, Ga., until her father’s 
second marriage (see Whipple sketch). She was later carried to 
Talbot County where she resided for several years. She secured 
her education at Old Providence School and Madison Female 
College. Her uncle, Robert Mitchell, of Talbot County, was her 
guardian. She married Nimrod J. Brown of Wilkinson County, 
December 2, 1857. The war period was a trying time in her life, 
and often she remarked that the heaviest burden of her life was 
lifted when freedom was declared. She said that every day she had 
to care for the sick slaves as she lived near Turkey Creek and ma¬ 
laria always had some of them in bed. Three times a day in rain or 
shine she personally visited the quarters and gave medicine and 
food. During the war, March, 1863, she suffered the loss of her 
husband by death and at its close her slaves were freed. Her ex¬ 
periences in reconstruction days mark her a heroine. 

To them four daughters were born, Fannie E., who married 
John Porter; Ruth Mildred, who married John M. Gannon, of 
Savannah, Ga.; Sarah Neomi—called Nim—who married James 
Booth, of Allentown; Lily, unmarried, taught in Americus High 
School many years. During the war she held a government position 
in Washington and after the war at Ft. McPherson. 

After Mr. Brown’s death she moved to Irwinton, residing there 
until 1873. In 1871, she married David Pugh and to them were 
born two daughters: Julia, who married Dr. Julian H. Chandler, 
of Swainsboro, Ga., and Louise, who married Elmer E. Smith, of 
Birmingham. Mrs. Smith is connected with the Alabama Woman’s 
Club, Birmingham’s Better Films Committee and is State Registrar 
of the Alabama U. D. C. 

David Pugh died 1898, and Mrs. Pugh moved to Birmingham 
in 1911, where she resided until 1924, when she returned to Geor- 


•604 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


gia. She died Jan. 26, 1926, and is buried in Swainsboro, Ga. She 
was endowed with native ability and a brilliant mind. No new 
thought or movement stirred the country that she was not eager 
to study, discarding the outworn and grasping the new that tended 
toward growth and development. She was always young. Her life 
was a challenge to her daughters and granddaughters to “carry on.” 
Responsiveness to duty, loyalty to family and friends were her 
outstanding qualities. 

William Mitchell received a certificate of service from Col. Eli¬ 
jah Clarke, on which he was granted 287^4 acres in Washington 
County, Ga. His name is also found in the certified list of Georgia 
Troops. 

According to family records and tradition the first known Mitch¬ 
ell ancestor was Hugh Mitchell, born in Ireland, 1638, died after 
1758. Hugh had a son, John, born about 1700, John had two sons, 
William and John. These boys lived with their grandfather and 
when William, a lad of 17 years, left Ireland for America, his 
grandfather, Hugh, then 120 years old, walked with him three 
leagues to the sea to see him take ship. William landed about Del¬ 
aware Bay, lived in Pennsylvania for awhile and later settled in 
St. Paul’s Parish. At a Council held at Savannah, Dec. 9, 1768, 
William Mitchell was granted 200 acres. William Mitchell was 
granted Lot No. 43 as a settler of Wrightsborough, St. Paul’s 
Parish at a Council held at Savannah Tuesday, July 3, 1770. When 
the Quakers of Wrightsborough repudiated the action of the Pat¬ 
riots, Aug. 10, 1774, William Mitchell was one of the signers, 
with many others who only a few months later joined the rank of 
the patriots. In 1784, he removed to his grant in Washington Co., 
on the Ogeechee River, later cut off into Hancock. When by the 
treaties of 1802, 1805, the lands east of the Ocmulgee river were 
secured from the Indians, he moved from Hancock to Wilkinson 
County, Ga. and settled about twelve'miles south of Irwinton to¬ 
wards Jeffersonville. The exact location of his grave is known to 
his descendants. 

Ruth Jackson, his wife, is thought to have been the daughter of 
Benjamin Jackson, an early settler of Wilkes County, Ga., and 
who died in Hancock County, Ga., 1798. 

Benjamin Mitchell was commissioned Jan. 20, 1797, Lieut, in 
Col. Samuel Alexander’s Regiment of Militia, including Volunteer 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


605 


Troops, First Battalion commanded by Major John Lawson of 
Warren County. Benjamin removed to Wilkinson County, 1802- 
1805, and later to Talbot County, where he died. 

(Compiled from data and writings furnished by members of the 

family) 

JOEL RIVERS 

Of French descent, Joel Rivers, according to family tradition, 
was born in Johnston County, North Carolina, in 1796, the son of 
Richard and Elizabeth Rivers. Joel first moved to Hancock County, 
Georgia, and in 1821 was married to Mary Pearson, of Wilkinson 
county (b. 1802). He moved to Wilkinson County settling just 
south of Ramah Church on the land now owned by J. W. Dennard. 
Being a good manager, he amassed wealth rapidly, soon owning 
many slaves and a large plantation. 

In 1833 he was elected to represent the county in the Legislature 
which office he held through 1839. Two years later he was elected 
State Senator. His record in the House and Senate was a most 
creditable one. One of his bills in particular which meant so much to 
Wilkinson County was the creation of all the “Deestrick” Acade¬ 
mies throughout the county in 1836 which were partly supported by 
state aid. One of these academies, Union Hill, was built on land do¬ 
nated by him. 

In politics, Joel Rivers was a staunch Whig, and whenever a 
candidate was promised his support, it meant all that whole section 
of the county would throw its full vote the same way. 

Joel Rivers was recognized as the strongest man physically in the 
county. 

The opening of the War Between the States found Rivers an inva¬ 
lid and unable to walk, yet imbued with the spirit of patriotism. 
When Company B of the 14th Georgia was being organized, he, 
with two or three others, assumed the expense of uniforming and 
equipping them for service. When the Company formed their line to 
march to Gordon to entrain for the front, they first marched to 
the Rivers’ home to bid him good-bye. He never lived to see the end 
of the war, dying in 1863. 

His children were: William, m. Ann Connelly, d. in Texas; Sa¬ 
rah, m. James R. Lewis; Polly, m. J. W. Branan, Sheriff of Wil- 


606 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


kinson County, 1864; Betsy, m. Thomas R. Whitaker, d. in Texas; 
Jack, Judge Inferior Court, Major and Lieutenant Colonel 49th 
Ga., Ordinary of Wilkinson County, 1864-1866, m. Catherine M. 
Gainey, d. in Hawkinsville; Richard, m. Patient Bragg first and 
Lucinda Branan second, d. in Dodge County; Winafred, m. John 
McArthur, Tax Collector of Wilkinson County, 1864-66, d. Cor- 
dele; Eliza, m. John R. Bragg, Member Legislature 1864-5, d. 
Macon; Gillie, m. Elijah Columbus Hogan, first, and Caswell H. 
Branan, second, d. Gray, Georgia. 

WILLIAM B. RYLE 

William B. Ryle is well known in Wilkinson County as one of 
the progressive and enterprising business men of Gordon, where he 
was born January 3, 1875. He was the son of Benjamin Franklin 
and Patience (Sanders) Ryle, otherwise mentioned in this volume. 
Benjamin Franklin Ryle, was born January 5, 1845, and died Feb¬ 
ruary 25, 1916, and was the son of William Brantly and Matilda 
(Brewer) Ryle. William Brantlv was the son of Joshua and Mary 
Ryle. 

W. B. Ryle was largely instrumental in the building of the pres¬ 
ent Baptist Church in Gordon of which he is a member. 

He has served two terms as Mayor of Gordon and always held 
the best interests of the community at heart, seeking to promote 
public welfare, and stood consistently back of every civic movement 
and in every way possible contributed to the advancement of Gor¬ 
don and Wilkinson County, he also served as Alderman for several 
terms. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma¬ 
sons ; politically, he has always been a Democrat. 

For a number of years he has held an automobile agency and has 
met with success in this line of business. 

He married Miss Vallie Dewell, November 14, 1900, who was 
the daughter of Reverend W. D. and Mary Frances (Reid) 
Dewell. 

Reverend Dewell was a Baptist Minister, who served a number 
of churches in Wilkinson County for a period of thirty-five years, 
and organized and built churches in many communities. 

(By a Member of the Family) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


607 


KING SANDERS 

King Sanders was born May 12, 1818, and died May 24, 1888. 
He was the son of Malachi Madison and Margaret (Peggy) Wat¬ 
son Sanders who were married May 27, 1804, in Newberry Dis¬ 
trict, S. C. Soon thereafter moving to Hancock County, Georgia, 
where he enlisted and served as a private in Captain David Rosser’s 
Company of Georgia Militia from October 12, 1814, until March 
15 , 1815. 

Mr. Sanders married Bethany Leslie March 25, 1841. She was 
the daughter of Silas and Bethany (Tyson) Leslie, who came to 
Wilkinson County from St. Mary’s, Camden County and settled 
six miles south of Gordon. Mrs. Sanders inherited the old home¬ 
stead and there the couple lived many years. Today the plantation is 
owned by a daughter, Mrs. W. A. Jones. 

To this union were born the following children: William, the 
eldest, died without issue while in service during the War Between 
the States and was buried in Virginia; Sarah, married D. Jackson 
Ryle; Patience, married B. Frank Ryle; Doctor Franklin, married 
Marrietta Hooks; Jackann Missouri, married Charles M. Hooks; 
Gillie, married John W. Powell; John Wilson, married Linnie 
Dennard; Winnie Bethany, married William A. Jones; Minnie, 
married John Wesley Hooks. 

Mr. Sanders was a prosperous planter until 1870, when with his 
family he moved to Gordon and entered the mercantile business in 
which by close attention and a splendid business ability he amassed 
what was considered in those days a small fortune. In September, 
1885, he retired from business being succeeded by Sanders, Ryle and 
Sanders, his two sons and son-in-law B. Frank Ryle. 

He was a Democrat in his political convictions and while he 
never entered politics he was very public spirited and served his 
town as alderman many terms. 

He and his good wife, Bethany, joined Ramah Primitive Baptist 
Church, September 16, 1865, and was ever thereafter a consistent 
member of the same. He was a constant reader of the old family Bi¬ 
ble which still remains in the family. Sunday, May 13, 1888, the 
day following his seventieth birthday, with his faithful wife, he at¬ 
tended services at Ramah. Returning with him for dinner were El¬ 
ders John H. Gresham and Alfred W. Patterson. After they left 


608 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


for their respective homes he remarked that he would never listen to 
a better sermon than he had heard that morning. After that he re¬ 
tired to his room to rest saying he was not feeling well. This was 
his last illness, his remains now rest in his beloved Ramah church 
yard. 

(Mrs. Minnie Sanders Hooks.) 

THURMAN SANDERS 

The ancestors of Thurman Sanders, Sheriff of Wilkinson County, 
were among the first settlers of Wilkinson, (See King Sanders 
Sketch). Daniel Sanders, the son of Malachi and Margaret (or 
Peggy) (Watson) Sanders, was the grandfather of our subject 
and married Sibby Leslie (Dec. 18, 1814, Jan. 17, 1880-Dec. 19, 
1833.) Their children were: Silas J., m. Sarah A. R. Bridger; 
Mary A. E., m. Hamilton McCook; Govey B. (killed in War) ; 
Malachi M.; James W., m. Georgia Wood; Emma Tyson; Joel 
J.; Francis Marion, m. T. C. Dixon; Louise Elliott; and Narcissy 
Caroline, m. J. W. Brooks. 

Malachi M. Sanders was married to Sarah Jane Johnson, the 
daughter of Isaac F. and Katie (Ross) Johnson, Nov. 8, 1868. 
Their children were: J. F.; I. D.; M. A. I.; L. F.; N. A.; Cora 
T.; W. J.; R. M.; M. T.;K. A.; Thurman (b. July 16, 1888) ; 
Irene. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father’s farm and 
attended school only a few months, but made good use of his time. 
After farming for several years, Mr. Sanders moved to Gordon in 
1925 and engaged in the mercantile business. 

Mr. Sanders was elected Sheriff of Wilkinson County in 1928, 
and entered upon his duties January 1, 1929. At the October Term 
of Superior Court 1929, he won the open commendation of So¬ 
licitor-General, Joseph B. Duke, for his successful work in prepar¬ 
ing a notorious murder case for prosecution. 

Mr. Sanders is a Mason, Woodman, Odd-Fellow and is a mem¬ 
ber of the Baptist Church and takes an active interest in all move¬ 
ments for the betterment of the community in which he is living. 
He is of a friendly, obliging disposition and makes friends easily, 
to whom he is most loyal. 

Mr. Sanders was married to Sarah Avcock, the daughter of 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


609 


James J. and Mollie (Newby) Aycock, granddaughter of Jasper 
and Mattie (Kirkpatrick) Aycock; great-granddaughter of Barden 
Aycock. Mrs. Sanders, like her husband, is a member of the Bap¬ 
tist Church, hospitable, friendly and sympathetic to those in dis¬ 
tress. They have two children; Eunice, a graduate of Gordon High 
School and J. T., now a student at Brewton-Parker Institute. 

MISS’ EDDIE STANLEY 

Miss Eddie Stanley, veteran school-teacher and a member of a 
family which for nearly a century has taken a prominent part in 
the public life of the county, has in the school-room demonstrated 
her worth as a builder. In the community where her ancestors be¬ 
fore her made their homes, she found a use for her talent. Sand 
Hill School was unquestionably the worst run down one-teacher 
school in all Wilkinson. It was an eyesore on a poverty stricken 
sand hill and the Board of Education saw no good in continuing its 
existence. Miss Stanley, however, felt the need of a school at this 
place. The community sought her services and she accepted, more 
from a desire to serve her home people than for any pay, for she 
was offered a larger salary elsewhere. Throwing her whole soul 
into the work she laid her plan before the writer, who was serving 
as County School Superintendent, and upon the recommendation 
of W. T. Porter, a member of the Board of Education, it was de¬ 
cided to give the school a final trial. Miss Stanley had no sooner 
begun her work than interest in education began to be awakened 
in that community. During the term a check on school attendance 
showed that school in the lead and at the end of the year the Board 
decided to continue the school. Competitive examinations held the 
next year in every school in the county proved the pupils of this 
school far in. the lead of other one-teacher schools and close com¬ 
petitors of the largest schools of the county. 

The fame of the school spread. One of the State School Super¬ 
visors was sent from Atlanta to Sand Hill School to make an in¬ 
spection. The report he gave after a careful examination was that 
Miss Stanley’s school was the best one-teacher school in the State 
of Georgia. She later served as Principal of larger schools in the 
county with equal success. 

Miss Stanley possesses that spirit of loyalty to her friends, de- 


610 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


votion to duty, and love for her county, unexcelled by any. Upon the 
recent death of O. J. Wright, her brother-in-law, she was appointed 
administratrix of his estate. The management of his considerable 
property and the guardianship of her minor nieces devolved upon 
her. She has performed and is performing these duties with a skill 
which has won for her the admiration of those who realize the 
magnitude of such undertakings. 

Miss Stanley’s great-great-grandparents were James and Winni- 
fred Stanley, married 1754 and died April 19, 1795 an d June 14, 
1800 respectively.) Their children were Oliver, Sarah, Elizabeth, 
Susanne, Winnifred, Mary, John, James and Nathaniel. 

Her great-grandparents were: John, (Mar. 30, 1766-Oct. 12, 
1837) an d Mary (called Polly) Fordam (Mar. 8, 1773-Dec. 1, 
1816) who were married Dec. 20, 1797. Their children were: 
John, Wright, Nathan, Pearcy, Mary (Polly), Benjamin F., Leah, 
Winnifred, Edward R. (The latter was a member of Congress 
from North Carolina.) 

Her grand-father, John Stanley (Oct. 25, 1798-Oct. 25, 1854) 
was married first (Oct. 26, 1824) to Sarah West (Feb. 19, 1805- 
July 1, 1828) the daughter of Joseph and Sarah West. Their chil¬ 
dren were: Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Catherine and Louisa. His sec¬ 
ond marriage was (Feb. 12, 1833) to Sarah Holliman( Dec. 27, 
1812-Oct. 15, 1863). Their children were: James H. D., John J., 
Nathan Thos., Prudence Ann, Pearcy, Richard Reynolds, and Rew¬ 
ell Reese. (Family Bible records of John (Jackey) Stanley now in 
the possession of J. T. Dupree: record of Stanley family prepared 
by Kate Wright). 

Her father, John J. Stanley (Mar. 7, 1835-Mar. 16, 1887) was 
married to Mattie Pool. They had three daughters: Jennie, Eddie 
and Claude. 

Jennie, m. Jan. 5, 1896 Abel J. Dominy and their children are: 
John Roberson, m. Miss Ira Pearce, of Americus, and holds a de¬ 
sirable position with the Southeastern Express Co., of Atlanta: 
Edward Perry, m. Grace Grant, of Homestead, Fla., and as em¬ 
ployee of Dr. P. Phillips Co., of Orlando, Fla., has charge of a 
very large fruit packing plant; William Jackson, m. Miss Ethlene 
Smith of Dublin and also holds an excellent position in the same 
company with his brother, Edward; Harold Hardy, d. May 17, 

1924. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


611 


Claude, the youngest daughter of J. J. Stanley, married Oscar 
J. Wright July 28, 1906. Their children are: Eva (m. William P. 
Greene of Shelby, N. C. Oct. 20, 1929) ; Gladys, and Kate, the 
two latter holding very responsible positions with Sears, Roebuck 
& Co., of Atlanta, and with which two nieces our subject is now 
making her home. 

HERBERT EUGENE STEPHENS 

Herbert Eugene Stephens was born at Tennille, Washington 
County, Ga., Sept. 17, 1888, son of James B. and Virginia (Pope) 
Stephens. He graduated at the Tennille Institute in 1907 and soon 
thereafter entered the employ of the Tennille Banking Co. as As¬ 
sistant Bookkeeper. In January, 1908, he accepted a position with 
the Bank of Girard, Georgia, where he remained until October of 
that year when he returned to his former position with the Tennille 
Banking Company, soon being promoted to head bookkeeper. 

He held this place until November 15, 1910, when he came to 
the Wilkinson County Bank at Toomsboro as Cashier. 

As a banker, Mr. Stephens has made a phenomenal success during 
the nineteen years in this institution. He took hold of a bank with a 
$15,000 capital in 1910 and since that time it has paid out in divi¬ 
dends the sum of $47,500 in cash including a stock dividend of 
$10,000. The capital, surplus and undivided profits now amount 
to $32,000. His unceasing activities in behalf of the bank has in¬ 
spired a confidence in its strength unsurpassed by any country bank 
in the state. The periods of depression and panic which it has suc¬ 
cessfully weathered, and from which it has always emerged with an 
increase in deposits, when banks in other sections were closing their 
doors, have tested the confidence in the institution. 

Mr. Stephens’ ability as a financier was again tested during the 
year 1919 to 1924, while serving as Chairman of the Wilkinson 
County Board of Education. He advocated the budgeting of the 
school funds and each year was a member of the Budget Commit¬ 
tee. So successfully did this plan work that the board was always 
able to pay its teachers promptly every month, and the school sys¬ 
tem of Wilkinson was considered one of the best in the state, and so 
pronounced by the state authorities. 

In October, 1927, he was again elected a member of the County 


612 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Board of Education. Immediately after entering upon his duties, he, 
with the other members, set about devising plans towards reducing 
the $18,000 indebtedness of the Board of Education, and putting 
the operation of the schools on a better basis. Already they have re¬ 
duced the indebtedness more than one-half and have put on trial a 
county-wide system of consolidation of schools, such as is meeting 
with success in many other counties. 

Mr. Stephens has also served for twelve years on the local school 
board at Toomsboro, and has been unceasingly active in its upbuild¬ 
ing. He found it a two-teacher school, able to run but a few months 
in the year. After repeated efforts a local tax was voted. Later, the 
district was enlarged and a bond issue was carried. After the house 
was built the school grew so rapidly that another bond issue was 
voted and additional rooms were added. But for his tireless energy 
and that of some others the school would not have attained its pres¬ 
ent excellence. 

In addition to this Mr. Stephens has always been in the forefront 
in every movement for the betterment of the county, is a strong ad¬ 
vocate of good roads, a County Agent, etc. A few years ago when 
the Toomsboro Chamber of Commerce was organized he was 
chosen its President. He has served for fourteen years on the Town 
Council of Toomsboro. In 1912 he purchased the Wilkinson 
County Banner Newspaper and for four years operated it with La¬ 
mar S. Tigner as Editor, later selling out to the Bulletin. 

Mr. Stephens is by far one of the most active Baptists in Georgia, 
having been a member since the age of twelve. He has served as 
Clerk of the Toomsboro Baptist Church since 1912. In 1922 he 
and Dr. A. D. Ware were the only two adult male members, but 
they began the agitation of the question of building a church and 
soon had it completed. As soon as the house was built in 1922, he 
helped organize a Sunday School and was elected Superintendent 
which position he still holds. He is likewise an active member of 
the Executive Committee of the Ebenezer Baptist Association and 
was elected Treasurer of the Association in 1929. 

Mr. Stephens was married June 7, 1916, to Miss Mayme 
Hughes, the daughter of Heyward D. and Emma (Hughs) 
Hughes (see sketch). They have two daughters: Martha Hughes 
Stephens and Mary Eugenia Stephens. Mrs. Stephens was born in 
Irwinton and has a deep love for the place of her childhood where 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


613 


she has numerous friends. She makes a most capable mother and 
efficient home-maker, besides taking great interest in the Church, 
School and Robert Toombs Chapter U. D. C. of which she served 
for several years as Vice-President. 

JOSEPH ALEXANDER STOKES 

Joseph Alexander Stokes, son of Wm. H. and Margaret E. Lee 
Stokes was born October 3, 1871, in Twiggs County, McDonald’s 
Dist., on Big Sandy Creek. His father was born in Stokes County, 
N. C., in 1826, his mother in Laurens County, Ga., in 1836. His 
paternal grand parents—Freeman Walker and Elizabeth Melton 
Stokes—were born in North Carolina in 1807. 

His father was prominently connected with public life in Twiggs 
County, was sheriff for sixteen years and held other offices of 
public trust. On the second day after his death, W. A. Davis, cotton 
commission factor of Macon, Ga., and Grand Master of the Ma¬ 
sonic Grand Lodge of Georgia, remarked that of all his business 
acquaintances he was the most prompt and that his son Joe was a 
chip off the old block. 

In November, 1889, he was united in marriage to a Wilkinson 
County girl, Miss Louisa Ryle, of sterling worth and character. Her 
business-like qualities have contributed to, not only domestic hap¬ 
piness, but as a true help-meet to economic success. To their union 
were born three sons and four daughters,—in order of age: John 
Thomas, Joseph Emory, Myrtle, Eva Mae, Ruth, Wm. Harbard 
and Nina. 

Joseph remained on the farm until after the death of his parents. 
He first came to Gordon in 1907, residing one year, then moved 
back to the farm. Three years later having consummated a business 
deal with W. A. Jones, returned to Gordon and has been identified 
with every interest characteristic of good citizenship. He is at 
present Mayor of Gordon for the term expiring Dec. 31, 1930. 
All of his children, except one, are residents of Gordon and actively 
engaged in pursuits related to social, cultural and economic pros¬ 
perity of the community. John T., the oldest son is a veteran of 
the World War, having spent several months in France. 

Mr. Stokes and all of his children are prominently connected with 
the Methodist Church, he, himself, having served officially in some 


614 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


capacity for nearly forty years. He has never been an addict of 
profanity, knows nothing of the personal effects of whiskey and 
tobacco. He has been guided by high ideals of domestic fidelity, 
loyalty to constituted authority, church and state, with an inherent 
disposition of justice and good will to every man. 

(By Freeman L. Stokes) 

LAMAR S. TIGNER 

Although the Tigner family is not one of the pioneer families 
of Wilkinson County yet Lamar Tigner has spent by far the greater 
part of his life here and so completely has his whole being merged 
and become a part that we are proud to claim him as our own. He 
came here first in 1904, taking charge of The Bulletin, and though 
at times since he has been away the lure of Wilkinson has always 
drawn him back. 

“Tig,” as he is fondly known to the people of the county, is 
loved as perhaps none other. His friendly and obliging disposition 
has endeared him to all who know him. The children especially are 
his friends. If he has an enemy in the world no one knows where 
to look for him. “Tig” and The Bulletin are synonymous to the 
minds of most people, so long has he been managing it. 

So attached had he become to Irwinton that in 1921 he moved 
his mother, sister and aunt here and built a home—he and Fleming 
Bloodworth having purchased The Bulletin in 1920. 

His sister, Miss Mary Tigner, is a writer of no mean ability, 
and assists him in the publication of The Bulletin. She has written 
and published a number of poems whose beauty impresses the reader 
with her talent. 

Mr. Tigner comes of a long line of historic ancestors. He is 
the son of Dr. William Achelaus Tigner, born in Meriwether 
County, Ga., July 13, 1833, died at Jonesboro, Ga., Feb. 20, 1894. 
Graduated from Emory College in 1854. Afterwards studied medi¬ 
cine ; mastered six foreign languages; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1866. He taught school in Alabama and became presi¬ 
dent of the college. While in Alabama he married Miss Eugenie 
Dozier. The children of this union were Hon. G. Y. Tigner, now 
judge of the City Court of Columbus, Ga., W. A. Tigner, Jr., who 
was also a lawyer, being connected with King, Spalding & Little of 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


615 


Atlanta until his health failed and he retired to his farm near Jones¬ 
boro, where he died; and Miss Martha Tigner who married Archi¬ 
bald Osborne and now resides in Huntington, W. Va. 

Later Dr. Tigner taught in Newberry, S’. C. While there he 
became closely associated with a number of Lutheran families and 
was so impressed with the Lutheran faith and the piety and con¬ 
secration of these people that he joined the Lutheran Church and 
became a minister. He stood high as a theologian in that church, 
being at one time president of the Synod of Ga., Fla., and Ala. 
He also did a splendid work in establishing mission churches in 
Georgia. He was pastor of the church at Haralson, Ga., for 17 
years. 

In 1872 he married Miss Miriam Byington, of Atlanta, daughter 
of Montgomery Pike Byington who was his senior law partner 
at the time. M. P. Byington was a native of Wilkinson County, 
being the son of Amos Fox Byington and the grandson of John 
Byington of Branford, Conn., who was of Scotch descent. The 
children of this union who lived to reach maturity were Robert S., 
who was for many years connected with Armour & Company, being 
Advertising Manager of the Southern States when he died; Homer 
M., also of Atlanta, who was in newspaper work; Lamar S., the 
subject of this sketch; and Mary. 

Dr. Tigner was a Ro) r al Arch Mason and spent much time and 
labor in Masonic research work. He was preparing a series of lec¬ 
tures to be delivered before the more important lodges in the U. S. 
when he died. His MSS were sent to the Atlanta lodge after his 
death. 

Dr. Tigner was the highest type of a Christian gentleman. He 
was considered one of the first educators of the South. He was 
given positions of honor in his church, his lodge and his State, being 
elected Senator of the 35th District in 1844, without opposition. 
During his last illness, which lasted for eleven months, he held a 
Bible study class for ministers who came to his home to hear his 
discourses. 

Lamar Tigner’s grandfather was Rev. Young F. Tigner, born 
Aug. 22, 1805, became a Methodist preacher in Sept. 1824, and 
preached for nearly fifty years. He married Sarah Frances Tinsley 
on Nov. 29th, 1827. She was the daughter of James Tinsley, a Vir¬ 
ginia planter, and Lucy Crawford Tinsley, who was the daughter 


616 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


of Joel Crawford and sister of the great statesman, William Harris 
Crawford. Joel Crawford’s wife was Fannie Harris, of a prominent 
Virginia family of Scotch-Irish descent. Isham G. Harris, Gov. of 
Tenn., and long a distinguished member of the U. S. Senate, was of 
this family, as were also Judge John W. Harris, member of the 
Supreme Court of Texas, and his brother Sam Harris, Lieut. Gov¬ 
ernor of Texas. Robert Harris of this family has a distinguished 
Revolutionary record and is the ancestor through whom several 
of the Tigner family have united with the D. A. R. William Har¬ 
ris, for whom William Harris Crawford was presumably named, 
was a member of Gen. Washington’s personal staff. 

The generations of the Crawford family are as follows: Joel 
Crawford, great-grandfather of Lamar Tigner, was born in Han¬ 
over County, Va., 1736, married Fannie Harris, 1760, died 1788. 
His father, David Crawford, born Hanover County, Va., 1697, 
married Ann Anderson, 1727, died 1766. David was the son of 
Capt. David Crawford and Elizabeth Smith Crawford. Capt. 
David was born in 1662 and died in 1762, being over 100 years old. 
His father was also named David and was born in Ayershire, Scot¬ 
land in 1625 and married in James City Co., Va. in 1654. This 
eldest David came over from Scotland with his father, John, Earl 
of Crawford and hero of the battle of Gratzka. John of Crawford 
was the first of the name to reach America and was killed in “Ba¬ 
con’s Rebellion” in 1676. His wife died in Scotland before he came 
over. He was born in Ayershire, Scotland in 1600 and came to 
America in 1643. (This information is taken from Shipp’s “Giant 
Days, or The Life and Times of William H. Crawford.”) 

To return to the direct Tigner line: Lamar Tigner’s great¬ 
grandfather was Philip Tigner, born in Acomac County, Va., Dec. 
25th, 1760. Married first Miss Nancy Forbish and moved to Clarke, 
now Oconee County, Ga. His wife died and he married Miss Nancy 
Hall who was the daughter of Hugh Hall, a Colonel in the Revo¬ 
lution, who is buried at Sparta, Ga. Nancy Hall’s mother was Mary 
Reid and she was a blood relative of George Washington; also a 
near relative of Lyman Hall, one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence; (See Memoirs of Georgia p. 656.) Philip Tigner 
was a Methodist preacher and built on his plantation near Athens 
“Tigner’s Chapel,” which is said to be the first Methodist church 
in the State. He made the nails for this building in his blacksmith 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


617 


shop. Lorenzo Dow, the noted Methodist Evangelist, made Philip 
Tigner’s home his headquarters when he visited this State. 

Lamar Tigner’s great-great grandfather was Capt. George Tig- 
ner, an Englishman and a “Skipper of a Schooner.” He and his 
brother, I homas, came to America in 1750 and settled in Baltimore. 
They owned a line of schooners plying between Baltimore and Liv¬ 
erpool, Eng. During the Revolution the British confiscated their 
ships. Both brothers and George’s son, Philip, a lad of 16, are said, 
through family tradition, to have fought in the Revolution, but on 
account of some records which were burned in a Virginia court¬ 
house this has not been verified. See Harden’s History of Savannah 
and S. Ga., Vol. II. p. 1025. Thomas Tigner later returned to 
England and George moved to Acomac County, Va., and engaged 
in farming until his death. 

Of the Tigner family in Europe little is positively known, except 
that they were Saxons. Members of the family are now living in 
Sweden. 


JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN TODD 

John C. Calhoun Todd was born in Lexington, S. C., July 16, 
1843, the son of Dr. Patrick Todd and Mary (Weiss) Todd, and 
a grandson of Patrick Todd, Sr., and Jane (Carmichael) Todd. 
On the paternal side he was of Scotch descent. 

He was educated principally by tutors at his father’s home, but 
also attended schools in Augusta, Ga. He enlisted in the Confed¬ 
erate Army in the Spring of ’62, age 19 years, in Co. G, Seventh 
Florida Regiment and took part in some of the most important en¬ 
gagements of the War Between the States. He was in his first battle 
at Resaca as bugler, and was honorably discharged at the close of 
the war, still holding the rank of bugler, Capt. R. B. Smith being in 
command of his company at that time. In 1920 he received the 
Cross of Honor from Mary Ann Williams Chapter U. D. C., 
Sandersville, Ga. One of his brothers, an officer in the Confederate 
Army, was killed while leading a charge. Another brother and his 
father, Dr. Patrick Todd, also served during the war. 

After the war the Todds lived in Marion County, Florida, 
where Dr. Patrick Todd practiced medicine and J. C. C. Todd 
was in the mercantile business in Ocala for several years. Later he 


618 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


was in the drug business in Savannah, and here he met a daughter 
of Dr. A. R. Norton and Julia (Greene) Norton, Miss Susan 
Tallulah Norton, whom he married July 24, 1872, at the First 
Baptist Church, Savannah. Mr. Todd was Chief Clerk to the 
Agent of the Central Railroad, Savannah, during the time Mr. 
McIntyre and Mr. Rogers were Superintendents, and he was re¬ 
lief agent at Milledgeville at the time it was the State Capitol. On 
account of ill health he requested a transfer from Savannah to a 
country agency, so in 1888 he was sent to McIntyre, Wilkinson 
County, Ga. He held this post for some years, and each of his five 
sons held the office after him. Finally his health forced him to give 
up railroad work, and he then taught school in different parts of 
the county. This was a work that he loved very much and in it he 
had marked success, winning the love and esteem of many. 

He was a member of the Lutheran Church, but there was no 
church of this denomination near his home, until a few years before 
his death one was organized in Macon, of which he became a Char¬ 
ter member. Mr. Todd took an active interest in the Baptist 
Church at McIntyre and was Superintendent of the Sunday School 
for thirty years. He was a Mason, his membership at his death be¬ 
ing in the Irwinton Lodge. 

After a long and useful life, he died at McIntyre May 12, 1921, 
and was buried there. He was survived by his wife, five sons, one 
daughter and eight grand-children. 

One of his great-grandfather’s on the maternal side was Ernest 
Frederick Weiss (m. Anna Barbara Bickley) who with his brother, 
John Jacob, sailed from Rotterdam in the ship Nancy and reached 
Philadelphia August 31, 1750. On Dec. 21, 1752, land was laid 
out for him on the Saluda River in what is now Lexington, S. C., 
and in 1753 this land was granted him by King George II. One of 
Frederick’s sons married Margaret Kelly, and became the father 
of Mary (Weiss) Todd. Their descendants prize a copy of the 
Weiss Coat-of-Arms. (Weiss now spelled Wyse by descendants of 
that name.) 

Susan Tallulah Norton, wife of J. C. C. Todd, was a descend¬ 
ant of Lt. William Norton, who served with the Continental 
Troops during the Revolutionary War. He was wounded and cap¬ 
tured by the British but his sister, Mrs. E. N. Joyner, secured his 
release from the British Commander. Lt. Norton was born in Eng- 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


619 


land, son of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Chopin) Norton, and came 
to America with his wife and three sisters. They first located on St. 
Helena Island, but also lived for some time in South Georgia and 
Screven County, Ga., where he was granted land for his services 
during the Revolutionary War. 

During the War Between the States, Dr. A. R. Norton served 
as a Surgeon with the Confederacy and he had five sons in the 
Confederate Army. 

(By Sarah C. Todd and Julia Norton Todd) 

THE WHIPPLE FAMILY 

Captain John Whipple settled at Dorchester, Mass., about the 
year 1630, and afterwards, in 1658 or 1659, in Rhode Island at 
Providence. It is from this Capt. John Whipple that the Georgia 
family descended. He was born in England in 1616 or 1617, and 
died in Providence, R. I., May 16, 1685. He came to America 
with Israel Stoughton. He married his wife, Sarah, there in 1639 
or 1640. He was a member of the Town Council of Providence 
in 1669—Town clerk in i670-’72, i 676-’77, 1681 -’83 ; Town 
Treasurer in i668-’83 and Deputy to the Rhode Island General 
Assembly i 666-’69-’70-’72-’74-’76-’77. He received the title of 
Captain in King Phillip’s War (Indian) in 1676. He conducted 
an inn from 1674 until his death and was one of the most con¬ 
spicuous inn-holders of the century. His inn was the favorite meet¬ 
ing place of the Town Council and Court of Probate and at one 
time the sesison of the Rhode Island General Assembly met at the 
Whipple Inn. He died in Providence May 16, 1685. Sarah, his 
wife, died there 1666. She was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1624. 
Both were buried in a garden lot near his house, but afterwards 
were re-interred in the North Burying Place as shown by inscrip¬ 
tions on their tombstones. They had eight sons and three daughters, 
the fourth child was a son by the name of Eleazer Whipple. 

Eleazer Whipple was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1645 or 
1646. Jan. 26, 1669 he married Alice Angell of Providence, born 
1649. The dwelling which stands to the present time on Eleazer 
Whipple’s homestead place, near Providence, was built in 1680, 
and is still occupied. It stands on the site of the one built by 
him in 1670, but which was destroyed by the Indians in King Phil- 


620 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


lip’s War in i 675-’76, and near which he was wounded August I, 
1675, for which wound he received a pension March 11, 1676, to 
the amount of ten pounds by vote of the Colony. So far as it has 
been ascertained this is the earliest pension granted in the American 
Colonies for Military service and disability. Eleazer Whipple was 
a member of the General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1670. In 
1693 and 1701 he was a Deputy. He died Aug. 25, 1719* and his 
wife, Alice, died there Aug. 13, 1743. They are both buried in the 
burial ground on the place and inscriptions on their tombstones 
are to the above effect. 

Alice (Angell) Whipple was the daughter and fifth child of 
Thomas and Alice Angell. Thomas was born in England in 1618. 
He came to America in the ship Lyon which left Bristol, England, 
in December, 1630. He arrived in Boston, Mass., Feb. 5, 1631, 
and soon went to Salem, Mass. In 1636 he and four others went 
with Roger Williams and made a settlement earlier than July of 
this year at Providence, R. I., having spent the preceding winter at 
Seekonk. Thomas Angell married Alice about 1646. She died in 
1695. He died in 1694. Eleazer and Alice Whipple had seven 
children. The youngest child was Daniel Whipple. 

Daniel Whipple was born about 1690. He married his first wife, 
Mary, about the year 1715, and settled beyond the Blackstone 
river in what was then called Wrentham, Mass. But which was 
afterwards about 1727, annexed to Rhode Island and called Cum¬ 
berland. It is presumed that Mary died about 1730. Daniel Whip¬ 
ple married his second wife, Anne, about 1735, who it is presumed 
was living at the time of his death, which was after March 29, 
1766, the date of his will. His sixth child by the second wife, Anne, 
was Preserved Whipple. 

Preserved Whipple was born in Cumberland, R. I., Sept. 26, 
1746. He married Olive Ballou probably about 1766. Olive Ballou, 
was born in Cumberland, R. I., May 13, 1751, and died in Rich¬ 
mond, New Hampshire, April 14, 1845. The family moved from 
Cumberland, R. I., to Richmond, N. H., in 1794. He was a most 
reputable man, averaging well with his contemporaries. He served 
as private in Gould’s Division and in Smith’s Co. Col. John Mather- 
son’s Reg. during the Revolution. He died in Richmond, N. H. 
May 25, 1812, or 1813. Preserved and Olive Whipple had eleven 
children. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


621 


Olive Ballou was descended from: 

(i) Maturin and Hannah (Pike) Ballou. Hannah Pike was the 
only child of Robert and Catherine Pike. The earliest record of 
Maturin Ballou and Robert Pike is Jan. 19, 1646, when they, with 
26 others, signed an agreement with Roger Williams for a free 
grant of twenty-five acres each of land in the town of Providence, 
R. I. (2) James Ballou I was the second child of Maturin and 
Hannah Pike Ballou. (3) James Ballou II, the fifth child of James 
and Susanna (Whitman) Ballou, married Catherine Arnold. (4) 
James Ballou III, the fifth child of James and Catherine (Arnold) 
Ballou, married Thomasin Cook and his name appears on the alarm 
list of 2nd Co. or Train Band under command of Capt. Levi Tower 
of Cumberland, R. I. (5) Olive (Ballou) Whipple was the second 
child of James and Thomasin (Cook) Ballou. 

Colonel Stephen Whipple was the third child of Preserved and 
Olive (Ballou) Whipple. He was born in Cumberland, R. I., Nov. 
27, 1772, and married Mrs. Olive (Bennett) Allen, April 5, 1795>■ 
the daughter of Timothy and Hannah Darling Bennett of Cumber¬ 
land, R. I., (Timothy Bennett was a private in Capt. Gorton’s 
Co. Col. Lippett’s Regiment during the Revolution). She was 
born Feb. 16, 1770 and died at her home near Lonsdale, in Cum¬ 
berland, R. I., about 1858. He was Colonel of the Rhode Island 
State Militia. He died Nov. 7, 1844, being a high degree Mason 
he was buried with Masonic honors. Col. Stephen Whipple and 
Olive (Bennett) (Allen) Whipple had eleven children. The third 
child was Stephen Whipple. 

Stephen Whipple II was born in Cumberland, R. I., March 14, 
i799 ? was educated in Rhode Island and came to DeKalb Co., Ga., 
in 1820, as a school teacher. In 1823 he removed to Wilkinson 
County, Ga., where he founded the New Providence School. He 
made his home with Benjamin Mitchell, whose home was about 
tw T o miles from the school and church. Oct. 17, 1824, Stephen 
Whipple and Ruth Mitchell, daughter of Benjamin and Mildred 
Hatcher Carswell Mitchell, were married. Ruth (Mitchell) WLip- 
ple was born in Twiggs County, Ga., Jan. 11, 1808. She was a 
dutiful daughter, a loving wife, fond mother and withal a beau¬ 
tiful Christian woman. She died Oct. 18, 1840, and was buried 
in East Macon, Ga., in Fort Hill Cemetery. 

Stephen Whipple II visited Providence in 1843 or 1844, and 


622 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


while there married his second wife, Eliza Knight of Providence 
and returned with her to his Georgia home. He died Feb. 13, 1848, 
and is buried on the Whipple place in Wilkinson County, Ga. His 
widow continued to live here but while on a visit to Providence, 
R. I., in 1881, she died and is buried there. The children of Stephen 
and Ruth (Mitchell) Whipple were: Robert Motley (Aug. 15, 
1825-Oct. 29, 1825) ; Geo. Augustus (Aug. 15, 1828-Aug. 7, 
1832) ; Walter Scott (Dec. 19, 1830-Aug. 7, 1832); Stephen 
Bennett (Nov. 16, 1833, died at Cochran, Bleckley Co., Ga., July 
28, 1915) ; Frances (Feb. 26, 1836-) ; Benjamin Allen (April 29, 
1838-Jan. 19, 1870) Ruth Mildred (see Ruth Whipple Pugh 
sketch) ; and a half brother George Knight (Whipple). 

Stephen Bennett Whipple after his father’s death, Feb. 13, 1848, 
lived in the family of his guardian and uncle, Robert Mitchell, in 
Talbot County, Ga. When grown he returned to Wilkinson Co., 
Ga. He married Sarah Ann Holliman, Feb. 7, 1859. Their home 
was eight miles south of Irwinton, Ga. She was a daughter of 
Thomas Jefferson Holloman and Nancy (Spivey) Hollomon and 
was born in Wilkinson County, Nov. 30, 1839, and died in Coch¬ 
ran, Ga., Jan. 4, 1913, both are buried at Cochran. Stephen B., 
lived in Wilkinson County, Ga., until 1871, then in Laurens 
County, Ga., until 1886, and in Cochran until his death in 1915. 
He was a Confederate Soldier. During the latter part of the war he, 
his brother, Benjamin Allen Whipple, and their friend, James A. 
Pugh, were commissioned Georgia State Troops and were detailed 
to go to the coast and make salt for soldiers families to be delivered 
at No. 3 station on the S. F. & W. R. R. and shipped from there 
to Savannah to the State’s Commissary agent and from there to be 
distributed throughout the state. In this commission the three were 
obligated to make 100 bushels per month at the low price of $8.00 
per bushel in the money of the Confederate States of America, the 
price in the open market being $25.00 to $50.00 in the same money. 
Stephen Bennett Whipple and Sarah Ann Whipple contributed 
eight splendid men to Georgia—Allen, who lived at Dudley; Judge 
U. V. Whipple, of Cordele, Ga.; Dr. Robert Whipple, of Cochran, 
Ga.; Dr. Clifford Whipple, of Jacksonville, Fla.; Stephen Whipple, 
Cochran, Ga.; Lucian Whipple, Cochran, Ga.; Dr. Oliver Whip¬ 
ple, of Uvalda, Ga.; and Dr. William Whipple. 

(Data collected by Dr. William Whipple) 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


623 


THE WHITEHURST AND THE ROZAR FAMILIES 
WHITEHURST 

The Whitehurst name is an old and honorable one. The history 
of the coat of arms of the family records that three brothers fought 
with honor with the English in the Crusades. 

The early settlers of the Whitehurst family who came to America 
established themselves in Virginia and North Carolina. Charles 
Whitehurst and his wife Elizabeth were the first of the family to 
settle in Wilkinson county, Georgia. They came from North Caro¬ 
lina. They bought a large tract of land seventeen and a half miles 
from Macon, Georgia, near the line of Jones county and extending 
into that county. Here they established the family homestead which 
is still in possession of their descendants. 

Charles and Elizabeth Whitehurst had four sons and two daugh¬ 
ters: Josiah Irwin, Charles C., Howell Little, Easther, Jachan, and 
James Stanley. Josiah Irwin bought from the other heirs their in¬ 
terests in his father’s estate. Charles moved to Houston county, 
Howell, to Bibb county, and James went to Texas, Easther married 
Mr. Bass, and after his death, she married Mr. Edmondson. Jachan 
married Isaac C. West. 

Josiah Irwin, son of Charles and Elizabeth Whitehurst, was 
born October 17, 1802. He lived his entire life in Wilkinson 
county. He was a very successful planter. August 5, 1824, he mar¬ 
ried Thulia Ann Wilkinson. She was born October 15, 1806. To 
Josiah Irwin and Thulia Ann Whitehurst were born eleven chil¬ 
dren: Morgan L., Wilkinson Mayberry, John L., Georgia Ann, 
Misouri Ann, Thomas C., Christianna Elizabeth, Louisa Josephine, 
Charles L., Laura, Josiah Irwin. Josiah Irwin Whitehurst, Sr., 
died August 21, 1875 ; Thulia Ann Whitehurst died Feb. 23, 1881. 

WILKINSON MAYBERRY WHITEHURST 

Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst, second son of Josiah Irwin 
and Thula Ann Whitehurst, was born July 27, 1826. Although 
he did not have University training, his education was sufficient 
to make him a good Latin scholar. October 18, 1855? he married 
Nancy Averette Bryan, daughter of James Averette and Kathrine 
Rix Bryan, of Houston county, Georgia. She was born April 26, 


624 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


1834. She received her education in the old college at Culloden, 
Georgia. This college was afterwards moved to Forsyth, Ga., and 
named the “Monroe Female College,” now “Bessie Tift College.” 
She graduated with first honor in her class. Soon after their mar¬ 
riage they built their home on their plantation on “The Ridge,’* 
two and a half miles from Gordon, Georgia. 

Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst was a man of energy, integ¬ 
rity, enterprise and thrift, and had a vision that helped him ta 
succeed in most trying times. Sherman on “the march to the sea’* 
encamped around his home, officers making their headquarters there. 
They left everything desolate. But like so many others at that time,. 
Mayberry Whitehurst urged himself to the greatest effort and 
adapted himself as quickly as possible to the changed circumstances. 
He soon had his plantation in order. His gardens produced the best 
vegetables; his orchard, the finest fruits. He established a store of 
general merchandise in Gordon, Ga., with such success that he 
made visits to New York to buy goods. He built a cotton warehouse 
and became a successful cotton merchant. He was interested in 
the political welfare of his country. He represented his district in 
the Senate, 1859-60. He served as Judge of the Inferior Court 
of Wilkinson county, from January 10, 1861 to 1869. 

At the close of the war, he built and equipped, entirely at his 
own expense, a large school building of two stories, known as 
“Whitehurst Academy.” For two years, he and his wife taught 
this school; then because of increasing demands from his other busi¬ 
ness, he engaged other teachers to take their places. Here came 
not only the children of the county, but those young men and women 
who had been deprived of an education by the war. A music teacher 
was secured and his wife’s piano was used for instruction in music. 
A Sabbath school was organized for religious instruction. Not only 
did the young people receive a common school education, but many 
were prepared for the Junior class at college. “Whitehurst Acad¬ 
emy” became the center of culture and learning in that section. 

Wilkinson Mayberry and Nancy Averette Whitehurst had eight 
children: an infant that died very young; Julia Pauline, married 
Daniel Greenberry Lee; Thulia Katherine, married James Dow¬ 
dell Myrick; Willa Dixie, married Henry Walton Bridger; Laura 
Josephine, married Allen Robert Rozar; Mississippi Bryan, died 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


625 


in childhood; Cincinnatus, married Kate Smith; Zollicoffer, mar¬ 
ried Minnie Edge. 

Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst died July 30, 1878, at his 
home on “the Ridge,” in Wilkinson county. Nancy Averette White¬ 
hurst died November 10, 1904. 

ROZAR 

Robert Rozar was born in 1756 in Halifax county, North 
Carolina. At the age of nineteen, while a resident of Bladen county, 
North Carolina, he enlisted in Colonel Brown’s North Carolina 
Regiment and began service as a Revolutionary soldier. In the win¬ 
ter of 1781 and 1782 he moved to Georgetown Parish, South 
Carolina, and enlisted with Colonel Horry’s South Carolina Regi¬ 
ment. 

After the Revolution, Robert Rozar moved to Wilkinson county, 
Georgia, and became one of the earliest settlers of the county. He 
lived the life of a planter of his day, as the disposition of money, 
land, and slaves, made in his will would indicate. He died at the 
ripe age of eighty-four. 

Robert Rozar, II, son of Robert, Sr., was a teacher in Wilkinson 
county in the early thirties. He represented Wilkinson county in the 
Legislature in 1841, 1842, 1843, 1845, 1847. While he was in the 
Legislature, he was particularly interested in improving the school 
funds of Georgia so that the teachers could be paid. 

Robert Rozar, III, son of Robert, II, and Nancy Rozar, was 
never married. 

Romulus Franklin Rozar, son of Robert, II, and Nancy Rozar, 
was born July 8, 1818. He was married twice. In 1846, he married 
Susan Caroline Smith, daughter of Allen and Mary Smith of Wil¬ 
kinson county. She was born September 12, 1831. The children 
by this marriage were: Lyvonia Adelicia, who died in infancy, 
Allen Robert; Augustus Hansel; and Albertina Vanness, who died 
in infancy. Susan Caroline Rozar died in 1857- Romulus Franklin 
married Isabella Frances Phillips in 1858. They had only one child, 
Terlula, who married George Bryant Carswell of Wilkinson 
county. Augustus Hansel married Mattie Lawson of Wilkinson 
county. Romulus Franklin was a planter and merchant of Wilkin- 


626 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


son county. From 1865-1869 he served as Justice of the Inferior 
court of Wilkinson county. 

Robert Rozar, IV, son of R. F. and Susan Caroline Rozar was 
born March 21, 1850. He was married June 12, 1883, to Laura 
Josephine Whitehurst. They had five children: Franklin, who died 
in childhood; Allen Robert; Roscoe Lehman, who died in child¬ 
hood; Nancy Averette (Nanette) ; and Mayberry Whitehurst. Rob¬ 
ert, IV, taught in the public schools of Wilkinson county for the 
greater part of his life. He was a staunch Democrat. After his death, 
in 1898, Laura Josephine Rozar, taught for many years in high 
schools in towns of central and northern Georgia. She retired from 
active teaching in 1921 while teacher of English in Georgia Teach¬ 
ers College, Athens, Georgia. 

Robert Rozar, V, son of Robert, IV, and L. J. Rozar, was born 
in Macon, Georgia, June 20, 1888. He received his M.D. degree 
from Atlanta School of Medicine, now medical department of 
Emory University, in 1911, and later did post graduate work in 
Harvard Medical School. He became a fellow in the American 
Medical Association, and in 1927 became a fellow in the American 
College of Surgeons (F. A. C. S.). On June 3, 1914, he married 
Zoe De Lamar of Hawkinsville, Georgia. He became an associate 
with Dr. Howard J. Williams in Williams Private Sanitorium, 
Macon, Georgia, in 1912, and was associated with him until 1918. 
In 1920, he became organizer and president of Oglethorpe Private 
Infirmary. From 1916-T8 he was assistant surgeon of the Central 
of Georgia Railway, and became surgeon of that road in 1918. He 
has served as president of Central of Georgia Railway Association, 
19 1 9 J president of Georgia Association of Railway Surgeons, 1919; 
president of Sixth District Medical Society of Georgia; member 
of first Board of Directors of Macon Civitan Club, 1921 ; president 
of Macon Civitan Club, 1928; member Board of Trustees of the 
International Civitans, 1929. He is a writer on scientific subjects. 

Nancy Averette (Nanette) Rozar is dietitian of Wesleyan Col¬ 
lege. 

Mayberry Whitehurst Rozar was born October 20, 1897. He 
began his work in the office of Bibb Manufacturing Company of 
Macon, Georgia, at the age of sixteen^ after graduation from high 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


627 


school. On March 26, 1929, he married Malora Stanberry of Chi¬ 
cago, Illinois. He is western manager of the Bibb Manufacturing 
Company, with headquarters in Chicago. 

References : U. S. Bureau of Pensions, records in Wilkinson county courthouse, 
State Archives, Bible of R. F. Rozar, living members of Rozar family. 

MAMIE EMMA WOOD WILLIAMS 

Born August 31, 1874, near Oconee in Washington County, 
Georgia, Father, Dr. J. S. Wood, removed to Wilkinson County in 
December, 1880, and spent the rest of his life as a physician and 
public spirited citizen of Wilkinson County, dying in 1916. At one 
time he represented his district in the State Senate. He also served 
with the Confederacy during the War Between the States. Her mo¬ 
ther, Emma Graybill Wood, belongs to one of the oldest families of 
Georgia, tracing her ancestry to the Tudors of old England. The 
following composed the immediate family: Mamie Emma (Mrs. 
Marvin Williams) Dr. Hubert C., Laura Ivaleen (Mrs. J. N. 
Todd), Rosa Lillian (Mrs. L. J. Pritchard), Ethel (Mrs. George 
Carswell), Lois Orian (Mrs. Frank Manson) and Annie Graybill. 
Of these, Dr. Hubert, Ethel and Orian are deceased. 

Mamie Emma married Rev. Marvin Williams December 29, 
1897. A graduate of Wesleyan College in 1891, she taught for a 
few years before her marriage and has since been engaged in many 
Christian activities. Mrs. Williams has been quite active among the 
alumni movements of her alma mater, directing the campaign for 
endowment in Fulton County a few years ago. As a minister’s wife 
she has played a prominent part in the church life of the North 
Georgia conference. 

Of the many organizations in which she takes an active part, her 
most conspicuous efforts have been in connection with the temper¬ 
ance and prohibition movement. Through the state W. C. T. U. 
she has been honored in many ways for faithful service. As state 
Superintendent of literature for Georgia, she three times received 
the national loving cup for the best state report in the United States. 
At present, she is the state president of the Woman’s Christian 
Temperance Union of Georgia leader of the Christian women of 
Georgia who are fighting the liquor traffic. She is interested in all 
governmental problems which concern the home and also in lifting 



628 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


the standard of politics in her state. She served as a member of the 
Georgia delegation to the national Democratic convention meeting 
at Houston, Texas, in 1928. 

Five children have been born to her and her husband: Louise 
(Mrs. Kay of New York City), Graybill (died at thirteen months 
of age, buried in cemetery at Oxford, Georgia; Ray (attorney, prac¬ 
ticing in Atlanta, Georgia) ; Florimel (Mrs. E. M. Herndon, Ra¬ 
leigh, N. C.) and Marvin, Jr., now a student at Gordon College, 
Barnesville. 

(Written by a Member of the Family) 

WILLIAM CHARLES WILLIAMS 

Few families in Wilkinson are able to be traced further back 
than that of William Charles Williams. Descendants of this famous 
family include a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Amer¬ 
ica’s foremost public men and a host of other notables. As shown 
by the authentic chart in the Macon Library, his great-great-great- 
great-great-grandfather, Robert Williams, (1593-1693), of Nor¬ 
wich, England, migrated to Roxbury, Mass, in 1638, Elizabeth 
Statham first and then Martha Strong. Robert’s son, Captain Isaac 
Williams, (1638-1708) m. Martha Park of Newton, Mass., first, 
Judith Cooper, second. Captain Isaac’s son, Col. Israel Williams, 
1709-1789 m. Susan Chester: their son, Deacon Williams, 1734- 
1808, of Hatfield and Dalton m. Dorothy Ashley, 1743-1838 of 
Deerfield, Mass., their son, Jeremiah Wadsworth Williams, 1770- 
1842, came from Massachusetts to Houston County, Georgia and 
m. Elizabeth E. Williams; their son, William Porter Williams, 
born there Jan. 26, 1824, who married Mary Susan Matilda Costler 
of Masseeville, Georgia, Nov. 2, 1852, was the father of our subject. 

During the War Between the States, W. P. Williams served in 
the arsenal at Macon, Ga. 

In 1868, he purchased sixteen hundred acres of land near Dan¬ 
ville and made Wilkinson County his home. 

Their children were Julia Tabitha, William Charles, George 
Washington, Mary Eugenia, Minnie Lee, Walter Robert, Pope 
Costler, Ernest, Damarius Isabel, Maude Antoinette, and John 
Lee. 

William Charles Williams was born, June 24 1858, and was 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


629 


married on March i, 1881, to Ella Gallemore, the daughter of 
Hannah Elizabeth Slade and William Joiner Gallemore. It can 
well be said of them that they lived active, honorable and useful 
lives, respected by all who know them. Upon their children, Dr. 
Augustus Small Williams, Dr. William Charles Williams, Mrs. 
H. H. Maxwell (Lelia) and Miss Bessie Williams, they lavished 
their love and in every way possible prepared them to fill the re¬ 
sponsible positions which they now occupy. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams were consistent members of the 
Baptist Church at Danville for many years. 

He died Aug. 18, 1926, and Mrs. Williams died Nov. 16, 1924, 
and they are buried at the Danville Cemetery. 






















• . . 







■ , . • s '3 

V 










INDEX 

T h e compiler is indebted to Mrs. J. W. Hooks for the greater portion of the 
work of indexing this volume. 

It will be noted that the following portions of the book are in alphabetical order 
and the names found therein are not indexed : Wills, Estates, Marriage Records. 
Rosters of Companies. 


A 

Adams, Addieline W., 552; Alexander, 
161 ; C. H., 289, 290 ; David Insurrec¬ 
tion, 62; Edgar, 533, 290, 298; Exa, 
538; Ezekiel, 298; Horace, 144; 
James, 180; Jane, 494; Robert, 529, 
552 ; Sally, 380 ; Shadrach, 380, 161; 
Wyriott, 179, 289. 

A Co., 49th Ga., 234. 

Adkerson, Henry, 218. 

Algee, Frank, 587. 

Alexander, Jane, 473. 

Allen, James, 297 ; John, 427; Nancy, 
384, 389 ; Olive, 621; Sarah, 224, 494 ; 
Willis, 177, 389, 494-5. 

Anderson, Ann, 616; B. B., 530; C., 
161, 179 ; Isabella, 507; M. 180, 507; 
Pocahontas, 530 ; Mrs. R. P., Sallie, 
530 ; Willis, 288. 

Andrews, Cora Irene, 600; Lee, 600; 

Ella (Avant) 600. 

Angell, Alice, 619 ; Thomas, 620. 

Ard, Charles S., 300 ; Thomas, 170, 298. 
Arrington, J. K., 290, 427, 429. 
Armstrong, Edith, 557 ; E. F., 389. 
Arnold, Catherine, 621 ; John, 621; 

Solomon, 177, 210, 286. 

Asbell, B., 548. 

Ashley, Belinda, 475 ; Dorothy, 628; P. 
A., 180. 

Association, Ebenezer Baptist, 476. 
Atkinson, John, 388. 

Avant, W. H„ 464, Amney, 388. 

Awtry, Abram, 527 ; Sarah, 527. 
Aycock, Barden, 609; Benjamin, 299, 
381 ; B. I., 179 ; Elizabeth, 381; J. J., 
609; Mattie K., 609; Mollie, 609; 
Sarah, 608. 

B 

B Co., 14th Ga. Reg., 424. 

Baker, Cely, 381 ; Effie, 486; James, 
486 ; Jordan, 383, 388 ; Joseph, 380 ; 
Wm. S., 290. 

Bailey, A. G., 290. 

Bales, Annie, 383; Daniel, 299; J. D., 
290 ; Mary, 383 ; Nancy, 383 ; Ophelia, 
529 ; Susan, 383. 

Balcom, James, 525 ; Nancy, 465. 
Ballard, James, 380; Maggy, 380. 

Ball, Anson, 286, 564; John, 154, 290, 
298; Chapter, John D. A. R., 473 ; 
Elizabeth, 564. 

Ballou, James III, 621; Hannah, 621; 
Maturin, 621; Olive, 620; Susanna, 
621. 

Barbee, Lydia, 389 ; Mary, 458. 

Barclay, F. S., 584. 

Barfield, Julia, 509 ; Richard, 384. 


Barnes, Cecelia, 483; Gean, 388; Jeru- 
sha, 483; Wm., 388, 483. 

Barnett, Isaac, 300 ; Robert, 154, 214. 
Barrett, Lydia E., 530. 

Barry, John S., 173, 213, 215. 

Bartlett, Geo. T., 427 ; Jim, 518. 
Baskin, James S., 286. 

Batchelor, Cornelius, 214, 292, 380; 
John, 505; Rebecca, 505; Sabrina, 
505 ; Richard, 505 ; Sarah, 505. 
Bateman, J. H., 287 ; John, 530. 

Baum, Alexander, 243, 276, 443 ; Amelia 
443 ; Annie, 559 ; A. W., 443 ; Caroline, 
443 ; D. B„ 443; Emmett, 443; War¬ 
ren J., 443. 

Beall, A. A'., 259, 289, 559; Alpheus, 
171, 173 ; C. C„ 174, 201; James M., 
557; Jeremiah, 173, 288; Mary C., 
388; Samuel, 171, 201, 202, 203, 215, 

286, 290, 386, 461, 554; Thomas N., 

178, 223, 289, 290, 385, 386; Wm. 0., 
174, 223, 230, 285, 286, 386; W. W., 
288. 

Bearfield, John R., 289. 

Beck, Catherine, 380 ; Epsy, 548 ; Fran¬ 
cis, 287, 291, 299; Wm., 171, 199, 

287, 288, 290. 

Beckham, Samuel, 286. 

Beckom, Samuel, 144. 

Bell, C. W., 287; O. W., 287; R. A., 
287, 500, 501; Reddick, 288. 

Bennett, Joniah, 389; Sally, 389; Tim¬ 
othy, 621. 

Benton, Mrs. Annie, 526 ; Edward, 580 ; 
James, 294, 380, 383; Polly, 294; 
Wm., 294, 388. 

Bickley, Anna Barbara, 618. 

Billue, J. R., 210, 242. 

Binacher, Julia, 557. 

Binion, Wm., 295. 

Bivin, Wm., 150, 169, 214, 292. 
Blackshear, Edward J., 290; Gen., 182, 
6-7-8-9, 190-1-2-3; J. W., 180. 

Blaine, Alice Shepherd, 545. 

Bland, Elizabeth, 380 ; Wm., 380. 
Bishop, Geo. W., 235, 286, 463; Francis 
A., 179; Olive, 463. 

Bloodworth, Elizabeth, 389; Henry, 
288 ; Henry G. W., 530 ; James, 288 ; 
J., 227 ; J. F., 289 ; J. P., 287, 289 ; J. 
T., 530; Fleming, 614; M. M., 223, 
243, 247, 289; Sarah, 389 ; Timothy, 

179, 384, 389, 457; Wm., 292. 

Blount, Daniel, 383. 

Boatwright, Jessie, 463; Geo. W., 180; 

Sarah, 387. 

Boggs, Ezekial, 214. 

Bohannon, Celia, 381. 

Bond, Joseph D., 180, W. F., 201. 

Boone, Addie M., 458 ; Amanda H., 457; 
Amelia L., 457; Anna C., 458; Alex- 


632 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ander S., 288, 458, 459; Benjamin, 
596; Ben L., 457; Daisy T'., 458; 
Daniel M., 457; Edward, 456, 457, 
458; Ella, 456 ; Emma, 457; Ethel, 
457; Frank, 456; Franklin, 596; 
Freeman, 456; Gertrude, 458; Geo., 
455; Henry, 456, 457; Jacob, 457; 
James, 456; J. I., 458; J. M., 456, 
459; Joseph, 596; J. W., 287, 459; 
John D., 457; Joshua M., 457, 458; 
Louise, 457; Katie, 456; Lucinda, 
456; Lula, 457; Lydia B., 457; Ma¬ 
mie E., 458 ; Martha, 595 ; Mary, 455, 
458 ; Moses W., 457 ; Mitchell, Nora, 
596 ; Pearl, 457; Opal Marie, 459; 
Ratliff, 176 ; Ratleth, 456 ; R. M., 457 ; 
Richard, 457 ; Robert, 456 ; Sarah E., 
458 ; Sallie, 456 ; Samuel, 596 ; Thom¬ 
as, 456, 458; Wm., 456, 596. 

Booth, Jas., 603. 

Bowen, John, 214; Nathan, 299; Wm.. 
286. 

Bower, Aurora, 461, 463; B. L., 461 ; 
Bernice, 463; Columbia, 461; Eben, 
461; Elizabeth L. A., 461; Geo. 463; 
Henrietta Flora, 463, 464; H. M. A., 
461 ; Isaac, 461, 460 ; I. E., 461 ; I. 0., 
463 ; J. B., 463 ; J. C., 214, 223, 286, 
290, 386, 460-1, 463; J. W., 461, 

463 ; Mississippi, 461; Omar B., 463 ; 
W. S., 461. 

Bowles, Wm. A., Captured, 49 ; Incites 
Indians, 48 ; Interferes With Fort, 
Wilkinson Treaty, 114; Ooseoochee 
Convention, 130 ; Returns to Creeks, 
51, 113 ; Rival of McGillavray, 48. 
Bowie, Plector, 161. 

Bozeman, Sally, 380 ; Wm., 548. 

Brack, Eleazer, 300; Rachel, 574. 
Brady, Mrs. Epsy, 176 ; Franklin, 176 ; 

Liza, 383; Mary, 380. 

Bradley, Cornelius, 509; Clara, 602. 
Bragg, Mrs. Alice Dennard, 579 ; Bes¬ 
sie, 579 ; Ethel, 580 ; Evelyn, 579 ; 
Ezekiel, 381 ; John, 210, 243, 247, 261, 
262, 289, 382, 606 ; Matthew, 381 ; 
Patient, 606 ; Samuel, 176, 296, 382 ; 
Sarah, 381; Wm. M., 296. 

Branan, Adam, 286, 301, 380 ; Mrs. A. 
M., 475; Aillie, 547; Alvah, 465; 

Alonzo, 465 ; Amanda, 465 ; Annie B., 
437; Beulah, 466 ; Bonnie, 466 ; Cas¬ 
well, 464, 500, 606.; Cicero F„ 465 ; C. 
H., 289; Claude, 466; Daisy E„ 465; 
Ellen, 465 ; Geo. I., 465 ; Gracie, 466 ; 
Gussie Earl, 531; Harris, 380, 384; 
Horace, 465; Iverson, 465; Kenyon, 

464 ; J. At, 287 ; James, 210, 288, 292, 

465 ; J. W., 382, 605 ; J. N„ 465 ; John 
T., 287 ; John H., 466 ; J. W„ 282, 288, 
605 ; Lorah, 465, 535 ; Littleton, 179 ; 
Lucinda, 606 ; Mabel, 465 ; Melissa, 
Magdalene, 465 ; Ophelia, 465 ; Paris, 
465; Pleona, 465; Robert, 466; 
Sarah, 384, 464, 465, 546; Vannie, 
465 ; Virgil, 465 ; Wallie, 465 ; Wm. 
465. 

Brazzeal, Valentine, 288, 289. 
Breedlove, Adeline, 461 ; A. D., 179; 


Alphaus, 179; Benjamin, 180, 298 ; 
John, 177. 

Brewer, Joel, 298 ; Samuel, 161. 
Bridges, A. M., 180; Bill, 275 ; Henry 
W„ 624 ; Sarah A. R., 608. 

Broach, Tempey, 381. 

Brock, John, 381 ; Nancy, 381. 
Brookins, Louise, 436. 

Brooks, Carrie, 469; Cosby, 471 ; Em¬ 
ma, 469 ; Francis, 469 ; J., 389 ; Jas¬ 
per J., 507; John, 236, 468-9, 507; 
Johnathan, 470; John Pink, 468-9; 
J. W., 287, 468-9, 608; Mrs. J. W.* 
436-7-8; Leila Mae, 471 ; Lizzie, Lu- 
ella, Lydia, Philip, 469; Martha, 
468 ; Sarah Frances, W. W., 469. 
Brown, Airtimissa, 296, 602; Fannie* 
602-3; Jesse, 150, 507; J. C., 210; 
John, 161, 380 ; Lily, 603 ; Mark, 161; 
Martha Ann, 528 ; Nimrod J., 602, 603; 

Powell, 161 ; Ruth Mildred, 603; 
Ruth W., 602; Sabine, 529; Sarah 
Neomi, 603 ; S. R., 598 ; Tabitha, 380 ; 
William, 145, 288, 294, 569; Wm. 
F. M„ 177, 295. 

Brundage, T. A., 154. 

Brunson, Mrs. Georgia B., 443. 

Bryan, James Averette, 623; Kathe¬ 
rine R., 623 ; Nancy A., 623; Mary, 

471, 571 ; Nathan, 471 ; Sara C., 295 ; 
Stephan Alexander, 472 ; W. H., 471. 

Bryant, Joseph, 389 ; Mrs. Joseph, 389 ; 
Sally,' 389. 

Buckhalter, Anna, 383; Peter, 286. 
Buckles, Peter, 214. 

Budd, Elizabeth, 505. 

Bugg, G. Parks, 473; Mrs. Maude T.,. 

472. 

Bullock, Willis, 385. 

Burch, Gerard, 286 ; Morton N., 289. 
Burkett, Lemuel, 214. 

Burke, Artemissa, 569; Betty, 570 ; 
Daniel, 281, 296, 473, 569, 575, 595; 
Edna M. W., 457; Elizabeth, 473* 
569, 595; Georgia, 570; Jane, 578; 
John, 177, 211, 494, 569; J. F„ 287* 
289, 578 ; Jennie, 570 ; J. B., 457 ; J. 
M„ 280, 389, 570; Mrs. J. M., 389; 
Lottie, 570; Margaret, 569; Mary> 
389, 569, 570, 595 ; Mattie, 494, 570 ; 
Morgan, 569 ; Nimrod, 177, 210, 243, 
244, 473, 474, 569, 575 ; Peggy, 569 ; 
Rhura, 570; Sarah, 494, 569, 571* 
575 ; Arthur, 287 ; A. E., 288 ; G. B.* 
177/ 178, 210, 243, 286, 385, 386, 554 ; 
J. F„ 211 ; W. E.. 290. 

Bush, James A., 180 ; Mrs. J. T., 535 ; 
Nancy, 389; Nathan, 389; Mrs. Na¬ 
than, 389; S. J., 288; Viola, 559. 
Butler, Adelyn E., 477; C. O., 476 ; 
Doris, 497; Edna, 497; Eliza, 546 ; 
Emma, 180; Ford, 298, 475; G. R., 
289, 476 ; G. W„ 475 ; Hattie E„ 476 ; 
J. A., 597 ; J. B., 287 ; J. E., 290, 475- 
6-7; J. J., 290, 385; Joel, 176, 475, 
569; Julia A., 476; Malachi, 475 ; 
Marion Edna, 477 ; Martha, 475, 476 ; 
Mary W., 476 ; Mary E., 497; Ray* 
578 ; Rufus, 476 ; Sara Nesbit, 477 ; 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


633 


V., 380 ; W. R., 497 ; W. T., 476, 497. 
Butts, Mrs. J. B., 436 ; Lawrence, 275, 

287, 486. 

Byington, A. F., 528, 615 ; A. G„ 531; 
Annie, 530; A. L., 528; Benjamin, 
528 ; C. A., 528, 530 ; C. K., 529 ; C. 
YV., 528, 530; E. C„ 531; E:. R„ 530; 
E. T„ 528, 529 ; Emma I., 528 ; E. C., 
531; Florence Amos, 529 ; F. G., 531; 
Geo., 531 ; G. W., 528 ; Henry, 529, 
530 ; H. A., 530 ; H. K„ 180, 235, 288, 
528, 530, 534 ; J. A., 530 ; J. F., 530 ; J. 
L., 288, 289, 528, 530 ; Jno., 615 ; Jno. 
L., 528, 530 ; J. S., 530 ; Jeanette \V., 

528, 529 ; Laura, 529 ; Leonora, 529 ; 
L. C., 529 ; Lillie, 528, 529, 530 ; Mary 
E., 529; Mary M., 530; Martha J., 
530 ; Martha M„ 528, 529 ; M. F„ 530 ; 
Mirabeau, 530 ; M. L., 528 ; Miriam, 

529, 615 ; M. P., 528, 529, 615 ; Nancy 
J., 530; Oolooloo P., 530; Pearl, 437, 
438 ; Rockambeau, 529 ; Rosa L., 531; 
Rosamund, 529; Sarah A. M., 528; 
Sarah, 530; W. C., 530. 

C 

Cadwell, Celia, 381. 

Caldes, Israel, 381. 

Califf, John P., 180. 

Calhoun, Rachel, 294 ; Wm., 288 ; Wil¬ 
liamson, 177. 

Calloway, Elisha, 381. 

Camp, Annie Lou, 436 ; Mrs. R. H., 436. 
Cannon, Allen, 290, 294; Iverson, 287; 
James, 296 ; Miles, 295, 383 ; Nancy, 
383 ; Nathaniel, 214, 293, 383 ; Sam¬ 
uel, 380 ; Sarah, 380 ; W. F., 288, 290, 
387, 474. 

Carr, Balis, 300 ; Mrs. Janie Davis, 500 ; 

R. J., 288 ; Samuel, 297 ; W. B„ 382. 
Carlisle, W. C. D., 275, 287, 290. 
Carlton, Wm., 179. 

Carroll, J. B„ 207, 210, 287; Robert, 
595; R. C., 244. 

Carswell, Alexander, 477; B. S., 179; 
Claire, 481 ; Ellen, 481 ; Ernest, 579 ; 
Geo. B„ 625; G. H„ 289, 290, 477, 
481, 490, 627; Harrold, 481 ; H. F. 

288, 290, 477; Hubert, 481 ; J. A., 
590 ; Jane M., 568; J. Floried, 601; 
Matthew, 153-4, 170, 289, 477 ; M. J., 
243-4, 478 ; N. A., 178, 202, 214, 223, 
231,' 477; N. T„ 490 ; R. H„ 289; 
Sam, 576 ; S. M., 177, 478, 570; Sarah, 
293 ; Wm., 176, 177, 265, 478. 

Carter, C. M., 180 ; Elizabeth, 570. 
Cason, Abel, 483 ; Dennis, 483; Henry, 
482 ; John, 483; J. J., 482; Martha 
V. S., 483 ; Rhoda, 482 ; Levi R., 482 ; 
Wm., 482, 483. 

Castillo, B. T., 180 ; Emmie, 535 ; J. T., 
180; W. S., 180. 

Castleberry, 525 ; Dourcas, 381; Henry, 
381, 506; Millie, 381; Reiny, 381; 
Sarah, 594. 

Cauley, Wm., 176, 286 ; Col. William, 
187. 

Chambers, Ada, 484; Andrew, 287, 289, 


484, 487 ; Allen, 179, 210 ; Atnna, 184; 
Barbara, 486; Daniel, 484; Elbert, 

486 ; Effie, 486 ; Elizabeth, 486 ; El- 
mina, 486; Frank, 211, 289, 290, 
389, 484, 485, 486; Mrs. F. B., 

389; F. I., 180; Hannah J., 

484; Helen, 486 ; Henry, 286, 
295, 297, 388 ; H. G„ 295 ; Hugh, 486 ; 

Ira, 484, 557; James, 484, 487 ; Jane, 
387, 485-7-8; Joel, 484; John, 484; 
Julia, 484, 486; Kathierine, 486; 
Kathleen, 486 ; Lucy J., 483 ; Lamar 
A., 486; Laura, 484; Martha, 388; 
Nancy, 484; Nora, 484; Oscar, 484; 
Rebecca, 484; Ruth, 484, 488; S. P., 

483; Susan, 484 ; W. I., 289, 386, 

458, 483-4-5-7-8; YV. T., 486. 

Chandler, Francis, 388; Dr. Julian, 

H„ 603. 

Chapman, Edna, 576; Wm., 569. 
Chatman, Lucy, 387. 

Chester, Susan, 628. 

Childs, 553; Elizabeth H., 553; Joel, 

553 ; Jonathan, 161. 

Choice, Tully, 478. 

Churches—Asbury, 384 ; Bethel, 384 ; 

Big Sandy, 164 ; Camp Ground, 165 ; 
Cool Springs, 164; Early Baptist, 

164 ; Early Methodist, 165 ; Ebenezer 
Association Organized, 165 ; Friend¬ 
ship, 389 ; Irwinton, 166-7, 385 ; Ir- 
winton Baptist, 477; Liberty, 383; 

Mt. Carmel, 384; Mt. Nebo, 164, 380 ; 

Mt. Olive, 383 ; Myrtle Springs, 164, 

387 ; New Providence, 385, 476 ; Old 
Chapel, 385; Oakdale, 383; Poplar 
Springs, 385; Pleasant Plains, 388; 
Ramah, 164, 380; Red Level, 386; 
Salem, 166 ; Toomsboro Baptist, 384; 
Christian, 387 ; Methodist, 389 ; Un¬ 
ion Methodist, 387; Walnut Creek, 

384. 

Clarke, Elijah, Expedition Against Fla., 

72 ; Location of Forts, 82, 90 ; Loca¬ 
tion of Metropolis, 82 ; Letter of, 87 ; 
Trans-Oconee Republic, 82 ; Alarm 
of Federal Government, 84; Fall of, 

90 ; Militia Moves Against, 86. 

Coates, E. J., 384. 

Cobb, Nathaniel, 389; Mary, 389. 

Cochran, A. E., 174, 177, 214, 290, 385; 

R. J., 174, 178, 223, 272, 286, 289, l- 
290. 

Cole, Christine, 572, 583. 

Colley, Sanders, 161. 

Collier, W. E., 529. 

Collins, Alleni Annie, Bobby Lee, 577; 

Byd S. Collins, 180 ; Carl, Columbus, 
Cornelia, Edna, 577; Emma, 457; 
Erastus E., 577 ; Estelle, 577 ; Eula, 

577, 588 ; Everett, Frank, Geraldine, 

537 ; Irma Collins, James, Joel, John, 

577; J. G., Mrs. J. G., 537; Laura, 
Lee, Lee Ann, LeRoy, 577; Leven 
M., 295 ; Lula, 577 ; Major, 294, 574; 
Marie, Mary J., Norwood, 577 ; Pris¬ 
cilla, 381 ; Rachel, Ralph, Thelma, 
Thomas, Sarah, Wm., 577. 

Court, Superior—-Changed to Ocmulgee 


634 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Circuit, 149 ; Held at Home of "Willis 
Anderson, 148; In Middle Circuit, 
145 ; The First, 145. 

Courthouse—Burned, 1828, 54-64, 211- 

212 . 

Coney, J. T., 243-4. 

Conley, T. R., 289. 

Connelly, Ann, 605 ; Tom, 202 ; D. M., 
211; H. M., 210 ; James, 300; Thom- 
asin, 621. 

Cooper, Benjamin, 381, 506 ; Elizabeth, 
595, 598 ; Emily, Gattie, Jane, James, 
595 ; John, 596 ; Judith, 628 ; Katie, 
466; Malinda, 595; Mary, 595-6; 
Milton, 596 ; Nancy, 381; Sarah, Su¬ 
sannah, 596; T. J., 595 ; Wm., 288, 
382, 384, 389, 594, 596, 598. 

Copeland, Colson, 161 ; Rebeckah, 380. 

Corbett, Jane, 576; Elizabeth, 596. 

Costler, Mary Susan Matilda, 628. 

Couie, James, 161. 

Council, Lovey, 383. 

County Officers, 288. 

Cowart, Andrew, 577 ; Annie, 577 ; El¬ 
la, 578 ; Eula Bell, 577. 

Cox, Cary, 286 ; Mourning, 381. 

Crawford, Daniel, 616 ; Elizabeth, 616 ; 
Joel, 616. 

Criswell, Susie, 529. 

Crumbley, John, 298. 

Crutchfield, Robert, Thomas, 286. 

Culpepper, Mrs. Ada L., 562 ; Charles, 
156, 162-3, 171, 289, 387-8, 490-1-2; 
Fay, Henry, Howard P., 562; Joel, 
162, 490; Joseph, 288; Peletithe, 

Rachel, 388; Ralph, 562; Ruby, 539, 
562 ; Russell, 562; Sampson, 162, 388, 
490; Sybil, 562. 

Cumming, A. E., 386 ; A. H., 289 ; E., 
210, 290 ; Eli, 202, 223, 386 ; Eleazer, 
178, 214, 287 ; R. L„ 179. 

Cunningham, James, 286. 

Cushing, C. T„ 179. 

Cutts, Allen, 384. 

D 

D Co. 57th Ga. Reg., 414 ; 8th Ga. Reg., 
475. 

Daniel, Etta, 561 ; G. C. Daniel, 389; 
Mrs. G. C., 384; J. W\, 435 ; Toliver, 
509. 

Darby, Wm., 161. 

Darden, Bartlett, Elizabeth, 505; 
Elizha, Fannie, Hesikah, 381; Mary, 
Wm., 505. 

Daughtry, Allen, Allen W., Ann, An¬ 
nie, Moore, Annie V., Elizabeth, 493- 
4 ; G. O. A., 289, 493, 494 ; Helen V., 
Jennie S., Lucy, Margaret, M. E., 
Salina M., Sarah A., Sarah E., Sol¬ 
omon P„ 493-4; Wm., 493, 570. 

Davidson, Allen, 177, 210, 496 ; Ardelle, 
497 ; Bell, 577 ; Betsy T., 496 ; D. M., 
577; E. J., 287; Elizabeth, 577; 
Evangeline, 497; James L., 496 ; 

John, 293, 496 ; Joseph, 496; J. 

O., 383; J. T., 383, 497; Mrs. 

J. T., 383; Lucy, 577; Luna, 577; 


Lydia, Maria, Martha J., 495-6-7 ; 
Moses, 496; R. E., 383; R. L., 578; 
Victor, 290, 497-8; Mrs. Victor, 498; 
Vinnie, 496; Winnie, 496 ; Wm., 141, 
496. 

Davis, Adah, 380; B. A., 499; C. E., 
290; Clara H„ 437; C. 0., 175, 180, 
499; D. B., 499; Eliza Nancy, 535 ; 
Frances, 499; Mrs. Gussie C., 437; 
Hansford, 176, 288, 462 ; Henry, 295, 
388, 462; I. L„ 535 ; J. T., 500; I. 
W., 289, 499, 500 ; Izetta, 437-8, 500 ; 
James, 383 ; Jameson G., 500 ; J. A’., 
499 ; J. C., 500 ; John, 291; John E., 
500; J. M„ 458, 499; John S., 290-1, 
298, 499; Josh, 499-500; J. T„ 290; 
J. W'., 289; Laura, 596; M., 290; 
Mahala, 499 ; Margaret, 462 ; Martha, 
461-3 ; Mary, 499 ; M. F., 499 ; Nancy, 
295, 388; Oren, 462-3, 535; Peggy 
E., 462; Sarah Lucy, 500 ; Sadie, 
437; T. L„ 436; T. R„ 499; Under¬ 
hill, 380; W T iley, 380; Willie, 437-8, 
500; Wm., 161, 288. 

Dean, 179, 210 ; Jethro, 176, 286, 385 ; 
W. M., 180. 

Deason, M., 288, 535 ; W. A., 288. 
Dees, Elizabeth, 388; Jackson, 296 ; 
James, 388; Joel, 176, 178, 202, 210, 
387-8, 556; Mark, 300, 388; R. F., 
535 ; Sinthy, 388. 

Delk, Elisha, 297; Joseph, Seaborn, 
213, 215, 288. 

Dennard, Cicero, 275; Elsie, 580; 
James, 161 ; Jesse, 161 ; J. L., 436 ; 
J. W., 605 ; Leon, 572, 580; Linnie, 
607 ; Lois E„ 580 ; Marshall, 384 ; S. 
I., 287 ; Thomas, 182, 438, 506 ; Mrs. 
T. B„ 438 ; W. C., 290 ; Wm. M., 384. 
Denham, Pearl, 530. 

Denton, Elizabeth, 597. 

DeSoto’s Route, 16. 

Dewell, W. D., 606; Mrs. W r . D„ 438; 

Mar- F. R.. 606 ; Vallie, 606. 
Dismukes, James, 383. 

Dickson or Dixon, Buck, 225, 275 ; 
Elizabeth, 295 ; Frances Paine, 535 ; 
James, 300 ; John, 161 ; Mary E., 532 ; 
Sallv, 380 ; Sampson, 297 ; T. C., 608 ; 
Thomas, 535; Wm„ 210, 243-4, 297, 
384, 535 ; W. I., 290, 389 ; W. L„ 289. 
Dobbins, E. O., Jack, Virgil, 596. 
Dominy, Abel J., 610; Andrew, 296; 
E. P., 610; Frederick, 293; H. H„ 
610; John, 161 ; Mary, 294; Wm. J., 
610. 

Downing, Hanner, 291 ; Mary, 296. 
Douglas, Spencer, 214; Wm. B., 455. 
Dozier, Eugenie, 614. 

Duggan, J. IL, Dr., 290 ; Cleo P., 531. 
Duggan, J. B., 289, 601. 

Dumas, Obediah, 180. 

Duncan, Thomas, 388 ; W. P., 290. 
Dunham, Ebenezer, 161. 

Dunlap, Henry L., 179. 

Dupree, Ellen Huff, 478; Frances B., 
478: G. W„ 436; Mrs. G. W., 437; 
I. E„ 290, 478; J. T., 252, 289, 290, 
383, 610; T. W., 242-3; W. T„ 287. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


635 


Dupriest, J. L., 290, 427. 

Durham, Hardy, 384; Joab, 380 ; Sam¬ 
uel, 288 ; Thomas, 182, 288. 

Dye, Avery, 499. 

Dykes, Allen, 381; Geo., 286, 381; 
Hilda, 381 ; M. J., 241; Mary, Moses, 
389; Polly, 381; Warren, 426. 

E 

Eady, Ephriam, 381 ; Henry, 381, 463, 
526; John, 153, 210, 288, 298, 380, 
385, 462, 554; Margaret, 380, 526. 
Echols, Polly, 387; R. O., 387. 

Edge, Minnie, 625. 

Eilam, Janie, 436 ; Tom, 435. 

Elbert, Celia Rae, 526. 

Elliott, Louise, 608. 

Elkings, Gatsey,' 388; Mary C., Owen, 
483; Young, 388; Ellis, Amanda, 
560; Ephriam, 381; Joshua, 509 ; 
Mamie, 557; Nicodemus, 509; Rach- 
eal, 381. 

English, Ludia, 380. 

Easom, M. H., 180. 

Estates, Records of Returns, 1820-28, 
298; 1828-38, 299; 1838-48, 297; 

1849-53, 296 ; 1853-58, 295. 

Etheridge, Almety, 457; Cally, 380; 
Elizabeth, 380 ; Exa, 588; Harrison, 
383; Hopey, 380; J. S., 211; Mrs. 
Lilly, 436; Lewis, 287, 296, 389; 
Lucinda, 389 ; Merritt, 286, 294, 296, 
380; Milley, 380, 383; .Nicy, 383; 
Robert, 383; Samuel, 383; Sarah, 
383, 388, 595 ; W. B„ 288. 

Evans, J. W., 387; Nancy, 387; R. 
E., 290. 

Events, Important, 213. 

Everett, Elizabeth C., 487; Floy Lee, 
488; Geo. F., 488 ; Geo. W., 487 ; I. 
E., James W., 488; J. B., 487; Mal¬ 
colm H., Myrtle, Oscar C., 488. 
Evers, John, 382, 384, 389. 

Exum, Benjamin, 287-8-9; James, 294. 


Fairchilds, John T., 151, 169, 289, 573; 
Rebecca, 380 ; Seaches, 389 ; Thomas, 
286. 

Faircloth, Nicy, 389. 

Farmer, Carrie, 572, 579. 

Fauche, Jonas, Moves Against Clarke, 
86 . 

Faulk, Mark, 570. 

Feagin, Aaron, 182. 

Fenchel, Mrs. Rebecca B., 443. 

Finney, Benjamin, 241; Mrs. T. J - 
Fishburne, Paul Lee, Margaret, Wm., 

Fisher, William, 178, 286, 295, 385-6. 
Fleetwood, Dr., 211 ; J- H., -88, 
roy, 178, 221, 242, 24o, 286, 48o, 

Flemister° A'. O., 241, 243-4; Dr., 210. 
Folsom, 6 James M„ 297; R. W. Folsom, 
232 ; Robert, 592. 

Forbish, Nancy, 616. 


Fordham, Benjamin, 242, 289, 383, 

610; Edward R., 610; John, 610; 
Leah, Mary, 610 ; Nathan, 610 ; Win- 
nifred, 610 ; Wiley, 210 ; Wright, 610 ; 
Zenus, 179, 242. 

Fort, Arthur, 150, 169, 289, 541; 

Nancy, 389 ; Thomas, 299. 

Forts—'Advance and Defiance, Location 
of, 82, 90 ; Fidius built, 61; Fidius 
Threatened by David Adams, 67; 
White Bluff, Long Bluff and Carr’s 
Bluff built, 55; Wilkinson Lands 
Granted for, 95 ; Built, 1797, 96. 
Foster, Dr. A. I., 384. 

Fountain, Garrett, Knight, Sketch of, 
501. 

Fountain, Aaron, 503; America, 504; 
Ann Overton, 504 ; Barbara Ker, 504; 
Bethethland J., 500; Blanch, 506; 
Columbus, 506 ; Dalonega W., 506; 
Delphia W., 519; Elizabeth, 503, 
505; Ethelred, 502, 504; Israel, 288; 
294, 502, 503, 506-7; Jackson, 505; 
James, 179, 275, 286, 503, 505; Job, 
505; John, 503; J. M., 290; Ke- 
ziah, 505, 507-8; Lewis, 505; L. J., 
598 ; Mary, 437-8, 500, 503, 505, 506 ; 
Mariah, 504, Martha C., 506; Ma¬ 
tilda, 503 ; Mitchell, 505-6 ; Patsie M., 
503; Peter, 503; Robert, 547; Rose, 
506; Sabrina, 505; Sallie S , 504; 
Seab, 428; S. J., 427, 504: Thomas, 
544; Wm. M., 504; Wm. O., 506. 
Franklin, Geo., 456-7; Sallie, 456- 7; 
Wm., 456-7. 

Frasuer, Mrs. Janie W., 437. 

Freeman, Ann, 387, 535; Mrs. An¬ 
nie T., 523 ; Attie May, 135 ; Celia V., 
536; Clara, 535; Cynthia, 601 ; D. 
R., 389, 390; Elizabeth, 387, o35; 
Emma, 535 ; E. B., 535 ; Geo. W., 601; 
H. M., 535; Jacob M., ;>35; J a FL® s 
H., 535; James L., 535; John, 1/9, 
298, 535; J. L., 290, 548 ; Lillian E., 
535-6 ; Linny, 387 ; L. H., L. 0., 5oO , 
Martha, Mahaly, 387; Nancy -^an, 
601; Polly, 535 ; Temperance E.,o3o ; 
Thomas, 180 ; T. E., o3o , T. i'l-, *-88 9, 
290, 533; W. H., 290, 389, 390, 535, 
W. L., 523; Washington, 300. 
Freeney, Nancy, 528. 

Fried, Amelia, 443. 

G 

Gafford, Stephen, 170. 

Gary, John, Jr., 161. 

Gainey, Catherine, 606; John, 1/7, 
295 ; Matthew, 297 ; Richard, 300. 
Gallemore,'Ella, W. M., 629. 

Gannon, John M., 603. . 1An 

Gardner, Emily, 465 ; Mrs. Louis, 443; 

Sue C., 486 ; M. R., 486. 

Garrard, James, 388. 

Garrett, Anna, 380; Enoch, 288, 388, 
505, 508-9, 518-19; Elijah, Elisha, 
507 ; Elizabeth, 388 ; Family of Geo., 
Henry, 509; H. N., 387; I. W., 508_; 
James, 387-8, 507-8; John, 388; J. 


636 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


E., 508; J. I., 507-8; Jeremiah, 507; 
Jesse, 509; Keziah, 508, 518-19; 

Leah, 387, 519 ; Lucinda, 388 ; Lura, 
508 ; Mary, 388, 507, 509, 518 ; Mar- 
zelia, 508; Nancy Ann, 507, 509; 
Robert, 288, 294, 507-8-9; Samuel, 
507; Susan, 388; Tabitha, 507; 
Thomas, 509; Wm., 387-8, 509. 
Garrison, David, 388 ; Elizabeth, Wm., 
388 

Gary, Allen, 525-26. 

Gay, Abigail, 380, 463; Allen, 380-1, 
463, 526 ; Elizabeth, 463, 526 ; Francis 
M„ 527 ; John, J. T., J. W„ 526-527 ; 
Joshua, 526; Lillie, 381; Penny, 
381 ; Wm., 526. 

Genealogical Appendix, 431. 

Gibbs, Jessie B., 437 ; Mrs. Kate, 384. 
Gibson, Dr. Cicero, 524; James, 176, 
286 ; Dr. John, 525 ; Dr. J. T., 524; 
J. S., 525 ; Katherine, 595 ; Obediah, 
524; Dr. O. C., Quinton, 525; Dr. 
Sterling, 524; Sylvanus, 297; Dr. 
Thomas, 525 ; Wm., 299 ; Dr. W. C., 
524-5. 

Gifford,’ C. T. II, Eugene, J. E. K., J. E. 

O. , Martha O., R. O., 527. 

Gilbert, Drury, 145, 290; E. J., 178, 

210, 263, 289, 386 ; G. G., 275 ; Jesse, 
161 ; John, 299 ; Thomas, 194, 286. 
Gilmore, Byington, Sketch, 528. 
Gilmore, Ebenezer T., 531; Eula IT., 
530; James, 531; John, 380, 531; 
Susan B., 531. 

Gillespie, Gertrude S., 550. 

Gladden, Abigail R., 599 ; C. E., 465-6; 

Mrs. C. E., 438; Lee A., 599. 

Glover, Kelly, 292, 384; Willie, 593. 
Golden, Mary J., 529 ; Wm. H., 179. 
Goode, Elia W„ 528. 

Goodman, Isaac, 295. 

Gordon, Sketch of, 221. 

Granade, Adam, 456; James, 287; 

Mrs. Martha E., 552. 

Grant, Grace, 610. 

Gray, Mrs. C., 389; Mary, 388; Re- 
becea, 380 ; Thomas, 288, 380. 

Green, Benjamin, 180; Easom, 179, 
210, 224, 287; J. B., 290; J. R., 289, 
290; Lucile, 497; N. M., 180; Wm. 

P. , 611. 

Greer, Carleton, 286, 381; Elizabeth, 
381. 

Gresham, John, 382, 607. 

Grice, Warren, 493. 

Griffin, E. S., 290~ Wm., 290. 384. 
Grimes, Harriet B., Matilda B., 509. 
Grizzle, Clem, 161. 

Grooms, Rabe, 255. 

Gross, Lewis, 603 ; Maryan, 380. 
Guerry, Clara, 566 ; John, 299. 

H 

Hair, J. S., 180. 

Hall, A., 223 ; Alfred, 428 ; Bertha, 577 ; 
Clara M., 537; Cora, 538; Daniel, 
176, 286, 288, 290, 388 ; Edna P., 538 ; 
Ethel, 457, 538 ; Elisha, 176 ; Gordon, 


383; Hansford A., 289, 532, 535; 
Helen, 539, 562; Hugh, 616; Ira, 
484, 538; Isaac, 176, 287-8, 201, 225, 
532, 535 ; Mrs. J. F„ 436, 438 ; James 
M„ 385; John, 176, 292; J. Marvin, 
538, 562 ; L„ 577 ; L. A., 227 ; L. L„ 
176, 287; Leila, 538; Lillie F., 537; 
Lyman, 289, 533, 616; Mary, 296, 
535, 537; Maxa, 538; Murray H., 
537; Nancy, 616 ; Permelia, 538; 
R. C., 290; Sarah L„ 388; W. A., 

223, 243-4, 287, 289, 290, 300, 389, 
427, 457, 532-3, 535, 537-8; Willie 
Mae, 537; W. 0., Mrs. W. O., 383; 
Zilpha J., 484. 

Hamilton, A. S., 290. 

' Hammock, Elijah, 385, 388; Mrs. Eli¬ 
jah, 388. 

Hancock, Ann, 571 ; Joseph, 293; J. 

E., 288; Mary, 380. 

Hand, Columbus, 461 ; Isaac, 461. 
Hanson, Dr. Fletcher, 602. 

Hardie, Damarius, 380; Joel, 176, 179, 
287, 388, 474; J., 389; John, 286, 288, 
292, 380; Lissie, 577; Margaret P., 
474; Millie A., 474; Netty, 388; 
Theophalus, 179 ; Vinson or Vincent, 
297. 

Harrel, Allen, 596 ; J. L., 223; Reuben, 
293; Meredith, 596. 

Harrington, Ed., John, Laura, Lula, 
Maggie, Maurice, Perry, 529. 

Harris, John W., Sam, 616; Thomas, 
387 ; Wm., 616. 

Harrison, John T., 176 ; W. J., 290. 
Hartford, Road, 181. 

Hartley, James, 210, 287. 

Harville, A. R„ 180 ; Ellis, 177, 288-9, 
384; H. E., 180; Iverson L„ 179. 
Hatcher, A. S., 541-4; Caroline, 387; 
Cecil G„ 544 ; C. R., 543; Eliza, 388 ; 
Dorothy, 544; Geo. E., 543; Georgia, 
559 ; Hal B., 543 ; James, 176, 289, 293, 
297, 383, 559 ; Jane E., 543; Jane W., 
559; Jerry B., 543; John, 153, 160, 
170, 200, 211, 214, 286-7, 290, 380, 387, 
540-1-2-3; Lois W„ 545; Lucy W., 
544; Mary, 380, 544; Martha Louise, 
544; Milford, 543; McHany, 383; 
Obedience, 383; Reginald W., 544; 
Robert, 213, 289, 383, 542-3; Sarah, 
383, 543; Sidney W., 543-4; Susan, 
543; Thomas Ayer, 543; Virginia, 
544; Milford. 543; McHany, 383; 
W. 'G., 383, 388, 540, 543. 

Hatfield, Ann F., Clara F., 500 ; Dick, 
427; J. E„ 601 ; J. R., 290; Lucy, 
500; Mary E., Rebecca B., 601; R. 
E., 427, 500; Richard, 601; S. A., 

224, 237, 384, 427 ; Sam, 429, 500. 
Hawkins, Fort, 189, 191. 

Hawthorn, John S., 300 ; John, 182. 
Hays, John, 150, 169. 

Hearn, Rebecca, 494. 

Helton, Cora, Ernest, Dr. J. B., W. L., 
545. 

Henderson, Eva, 593 ; Mrs. I. A., 436. 
Henry, Conner, G. C., Jewell, 580. 
Herndon, Aggie, Elizabeth, 389; Mrs. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


637 


E. M., 628; Geo., 298, 388-9; Gracie 

B. , 465; H. T., 519; James, 389; 
Silvey, 389 ; Wm., 176. 

Hickman, Edward, 179. 

Hicks, Abner, 298, 300 ; Caroline, 545 ; 
Daniel, 154, 170, 289, 545 ; James, 
Jane, John, 545; J. C., 257 ; Laura 

C. , 545, 547 ; Lewis, 299 ; Mary Em¬ 
ma, 545; Ruth, 602: Sarah, Ann, 
Wm., Willie Olive, 545. 

Hill, Allen, 381; Joseph, Sally, 388. 
Hilton, Sarah, 509. 

Hodges, Aurora S., Bower, Charles, C. 
R., Celestine, 464; H. L., Rhoda C., 
483. 

Hoffman, M. B., 519. 

Hogan, Columbus, 382 ; Edmund, 145, 
288 ; Elijah, 142, 175, 196, 297, 388-9, 
602; E. C., 175, 179, 606 ; Elisha, 
161 ; J. G. R., 495 ; Sarah, 298 ; Su¬ 
san, 196. 

Hoge, Stephen, 170. 

Holcomb, E. S., Mary, Polly Ann, 387. 
Holder, Rachel, 388 ; Wm., 161. 
Holland, Iveny, 383; James, 493; Lil¬ 
lie H., 545; W. L., 180; Wiley, 180, 
243, 287. 

Holloman, Alice, Andrew, David, D. P., 
E. J., Etta, Frank, l._ P., James, 
Jane, Joseph, J. H., 545-6-7; John, 
383, 546; Mary Ann, 546; ,Nancy, 
622; O. D., 547; Prudence, 383; 
Sarah, 610, 622; Thomas, 546; T. J., 
210, 242, 622; Virgil, 546. 

Holmes, David, 291. 

Holt, A. B„ 590. 

Honeyeut, Meridith. 180; Seth, 29/. 
Hooks, Archibald, 380 ; Augustus, 548 ; 
Charles, 179, 289, 547-8, 607; Ella, 
Emma, Fannie, 548; Irene Ridley, 
549; James, 548; John, 296-7, 457, 
548; John Wesley, 549, 550, 607; 
Mrs. J. W., 435-6-7, 424, 550 ; Lada, 
535, 548 ; Marietta, 548, 607 ; Minnie 
Sanders, 550; Rachel, 385; T. H., 
548 ; Wm., 295, 297, 548. 

Hooten, Henry, 380. 

Hoover, James, 179; J. H., 288, 290, 
Joel, 298 ; Marth, 383. 

Hopson, Wiley, 299. 

Horn, Briton, Elizabeth, 388; John, 
154, 388; Margaret, 388; Mrs. San- 
nie Henderson, 593. 

Howard, Andrew J., 296; D. Albert, 
384; H. D., 578; Jasper, 387 ; Nancy, 
380, 388 ; Sarah, 387 ; Mining, 388 
Howell, Adeline E., David, 47o ;; John, 
292 ; Naomi E., 475 ; Pheby, 380. 
Hubbard, Eli B„ 289, 552; Frances 
Adams, Frances Rebecca, James Al¬ 
len, Josephine Elizabeth, 552 , Saiah, 
293. 

Hudson, Daniel, 223; Nathan, 161; J. 

R., 290; J. T., 244. 

Hughes, Alberta, Albert H., .)o8, L. 
T *>88 • D M., 290; Elizabeth, 486, 
557 r Georgia, 384, 558 , O. B 384, 
553; Haywood, 486, oo/, 612 , Mrs. H. 

D., 384; John, o58; John, 288, 384, 


Mary, 531 ; Mayme, 384, 558, 612; 
N. C„ 288-9 ; Paul B., 558. 

Hughs, Mrs. Annie B., 443; Clifford 
C., 588 ; Emma, 557, 559, 612; E. F„ 
245; G. B„ 240, 271, 558; Green D.. 
557 ; Georgia H., 557 ; Hatcher, H. D., 
Ida, 559 ; Iverson G., 296 ; I. T., 210; 
James C., 588; James Wm., 559; 
John, 297, 383, 553-4 ; J. T., Margaret 
W., 557 ; Martha J., 559 ; Martha A. 
E„ 557 ; Mildred P„ 588 ; N. C„ 174, 
178, 557-8-9; N. W., 211, 240, 287; 
Rebecca, 558-9 ; Sarah J., Theodosia, 
557 ; Thomas, 287, 385 ; Wm. 296, 
553, 557-8; W. J., 384. 

Hunter, Adam, 199, 286. 

Hurston, Elizabeth, 387 ; John, 383. 
Hyde, John W., 287. 

Hyman, Bob, H. E., 275. 


I 


Indians—Armed by Spaniards, 31, 45, 
73; Adams Attacks, 65; Boundary, 
48, 133 ; Era, 13 ; Floyd Defeats, 188 ; 
Frighten Early Settlers, 143; In¬ 
cited by Tecumseh, 182 ; Mounds, 13 ; 
Pottery, 14 ; Sell Oconee Lands, 30 ; 
Sell Ocmulgee Lands, 136, 139; 

Towns, 17, 20; Trespassers Against, 
107-11, 122-3. 

Indian Chieftains—Ask Redress for 
Harrison Massacre, 99 ; Big Warrior, 
Ally of Americans, 183 ; Efau Hau- 
jo \ isits Augusta, 63, 65, 68 ; Revolts 
Against McGillivray, 50; Chief 
Speaker, 115, 116, 120; Punishes 

Horse Thieves, 103, 105 ; Hobo-heil- 
thle Micco, Succeeds Bowles, 137; 
Threatens Wilkinson Co., 184; Hopoi 
Micc-o Succeeds Efau Haujo, 137; 
John Galphin, Famous Ride, 33; 
Outlawed, 98; On Warpath, 55, 98; 
Payne, King of the Oconees, 22; 
Makes Peace, 56; Oueekachumpa, 
22; Secoffee, 22. 

Indian Traditions, 13, 14, 20, 23, 26 ; 
Indian Trails, 24, 26, 27, 28. 

Indian Treaties—Colerain, 95 ; Creek 
Agency, 138; Cussetah, 30, 31; Ft. 
Wilkinson, 112; Denounced by In¬ 
dians, 118, 129, 131 ; Disappoints 

Georgians, 129 ; New York, 45 ; Rock 
Landing, 35; Spanish, 31; Wash¬ 
ington, 139. 

Indian Tribes—Chehaws Defeat Bren- 
ton, 60; Cussetahs Friendly, 30; 
Oconee, Chieftains, 22; Friends of 
English, 22 ; Hatred for Spain, 21; 
Muscogean Invasion, 22 ; Spanish In¬ 
vasion, 21 ; Unite With Creeks, 23 
Tribal Name Changed to Seminoles 
22 ; Seminoles on Warpath, 55, 189 
Uchees, 23, 24, 25; Harrison Mas¬ 
sacre of, 97 ; Hostile, 100. 

Indian Wars—Oconee-Muscogean, 22; 
Oconee-Spanish, 22; Creek, During 
Revolution, 29, 1786, 1793, 31 ; 1813, 
181; 1836, 555 ; Patofa’s War Expe- 



638 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


dition With DeSoto, 18. 

Indian Wars Against Georgia—Attacks 
Presented by Flood, 55 ; Border Pat¬ 
rols, 54 ; Indians Killed by Washing¬ 
ton Countians, 101; Indian Prowlers 
Killed by Persons, 102; Massacre 
Planned, 1789, 37 ; Militia Assemblies 
at Shoulder-bone, 55; Peace At¬ 
tempted, 1789, 38; Raids on Fron¬ 
tiers, 1792, 53, 31-2-3; S. C. Aids Ga., 
53; Spain Incites Indians, 46 ; War 
Clouds, 52; Washington Aids Ga., 54. 

Ingram, Anderson, 176-7; David, 292, 
502 ; Elizabeth, 469 ; Ellender, 503. 

Irby, Mrs. W. D., 436. 

Irwinton, Early History of, 197-8; Fire 
of 1831, 213; Burned by Sherman, 
262. 

Isenberg, Sol, Sketch, 559-60 ; Mrs. 436 ; 
Hannah, Jacob, Joe, 560; Joseph, 
559; Myer, 559; Rosa, 436, 560; 

Wflltpr 

Ivey, B. H., 560 ; Caswell, 465 ; C. B„ 
598 ; Cleopas, 465 ; Elizabeth, 530 ; 
F., 388; James, 458; John, Mary, 
Nannie, 465; Oliver, 560; Wilkie, 
465. 


J 

Jackson, Abner, 380 ; Alma, 580 ; Benja¬ 
min, 604; B. H„ 287; Caroline, 383; 
Clark, Elizabeth, 380, 487 ; Jas., 178, 
202, 210, 243, 287, 383, 385, 387, 487, 
490; J. B., 290; Jesse, 287, 383; Joel, 
299; Joseph, 287, 288; Lidy, Liza, 
383 ; Luiza, 179 ; Lydia, 180 ; Maxie, 
487 ; N. B„ 180 ; Nathan, 292 ; Rob¬ 
ert. 145, 286, 290; Randall, 577; 

Ruth, 604; Sallie, 577 ; Sarah, 180 ; 
Susannah, 380; Thomas, 288, 380; 
V. P„ 530 ; Wm., 293. 

Jameson, D. F., 527 ; Edy, 388. 

James, V. S„ 289. 

Jeans, Vincent, 240. 

Jenkins, E. F., 527; J. B., 493; L. S., 
179, 225 ; Micah, 527. 

Jessup, Frank, J. A., J. W., P. At, W. 
S. C., 576. 

Johns, William, 161, 288, 295 ; Zepha- 
niah, 295. 

Johnson, Andrew, 561; C. G., 384; E., 
539, 561 ; Fannie, 381 ; Frank. 562 ; 
Isaac, 289, 608 ; Joe, 428 ; Katie, 608 ; 
Margaret, 384; Mary, 561; M. B., 
179 ; Oliver, 384; Richard, 290; Sa¬ 
rah, 488, 608 ; Simon, 381; Stephen, 
153, 169, 286 ; Wm., 179. 

Johnston, Allie J., Edwin, G. B., Sarah, 
J., Thomas, 597; James, 161. 

Jones, Adam, 294, 380-1-2, 389 ; A. J., 
388; Anna, 596; Bethland, 506; 
Dehlah, 381 ; Elijah, 161 ; Ella, 380 ; 
Frances, 298; Frank, 275; G., 210, 
240 ; Hardy, 299 ; Hyram, 294 ; Isaac, 
381 ; Jas., 427, 428 ; J. L„ 292 ; J. H„ 
241, 287, 563; J. P., 290; J. R., John, 
383; Joseph, 298; Lewey, 380; Mary, 
298 ; Mollie, 381 ; Nicy, 383; S. E., 


291 ; Serena, 563; Taliaferro, 383; 
Thomas, 294; W. A., 289, 290, 563, 
607; Mrs. W. A., 436; Wiley, 161. 
Jordan, A. W., 177, 496; Flem, 427; 

Joe, 578 ; Mary, 463. 

Joyner, Elijah, 493; Mrs. E. N., 618. 
Justice, Ivey, 288 ; James, Sarah, 300. 
Justices of the Inferior Court, 286. 

K 

Keel, J. I., 382 ; Noah, 293. 

Kembles, Marian, 388. 

Kelly, C. C., 233, 592 ; J. R., 260, 543 ; 

J. M„ 618, J. M., 384. 

Kemp, E. E., 223 ; Fulton, 385 ; George, 
388; Martha, 180 ; Mary, Morning, 
388 ; Reuben, 161 ; William, 214. 
Kendall, Mary, 571. 

Kennedy, Mrs. D. M., 519. 

Kennington, Wm., 288 ; Frank, 275. 
Kennon, Madge, 543. 

Kerson, Epsie, 387. 

Key, Lizzie, 437. 

Kimbrough, Adam, 161. 

Kilgore, Benjamin, J. W., Martha, S. 
W„ 527. 

King, Amos, Benajah, 380; Charlotte, 
381 ; Elizabeth, 596; Elizha, 565; 
Erasmus, 564; Hiram, 562, 564; I. 
S., 203, 215, 272, 564 ; Jas., 294 ; John, 
171, 182, 210, 562, 564; Mary, 507 ; 
Nancy, 380, 562,^64; Wesley, 202, 
215, 266, 271, 289, 290, 556, 564. 
Kingery, C. C., 387 ; Daniel, 299 ; Eula, 
545 ; Elizabeth, 388; Exa, 588 ; John, 
383, 387, 388. 

Kinmon, Cassy, 389. 

Kinney, Clara, D. G., 567 ; Epsy, 565 ; 
Frederick, 567; F. D., 567 ; James, 
287 ; J. W., Mary, W. O., 565 ; Mrs. 
W. O., 566. 

Kirkpatrick, Jas., 275, 426 ; Trial, 426. 
Kitchens, Alice T., 568; C. G., 602; 

Mrs. C. G., 436, 567 ; G. N„ 568. 
Kittles, F. A., 180; John, 297. 

Knight, Family Chart, 519; Ailey, 
E., 518; Ailey J., 518, 519; Eliza, 
622; Mrs. E. C., 436; E. I., 518; E. 
J., 519 ; Frances, 387 ; Geo., 509, 517- 
20; Jas., 573; J. B., 518, 519; Joel, 
383; J. T., Martha, Nancy, 518-19; 
Robert, 517, 519 ; Simon, 387 ; Thom¬ 
as, 518, 520 ; W. D., 519. 


L 

Ladd, 180. 

Lafayette, Death of, 215 ; Visit, 214. 
Lamar Insurrection, 111. 

Lamb, C. B., Mrs. C. B„ 568; Chas., 
Bryan, J. B., D. T., Mae, 569. 
Lambert, James, 291, 381. 

Lancaster, Gilly, 380. 

Land, A. T., Burke, Florence, Georgia, 
J. T. T. H. 570. 

Langford, Jas., 530 ; J. M., 180, 287. 
Langston, Benjamin, 291. 

Lanier, Lewis, 144, 286. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


639 


Lasseter, Abraham, 293; Hansell, 

214. 

Lavender, Anthony, 509; Elizabeth, 
389; Jack, 202; Mary, 179; Nancy, 
Rebecca, Samuel, 387. 

Lawrence, J. L., 290. 

Lawson, Jim, 292; Mattie, 625. 
Lawyers, Early, 213. 

Leathers, Flora, 389 ; John, 293. 

Lee Family Chart, 570 ; Alto V., 574; 
Annie, 571, 576 ; Anna J., 579 ; Betsy, 
574; Burke, 572, 580; Carro, 572; 
Cater, Catherine, 579; Christine, 
572-80-83 ; Charles, 571 ; D. F., 580 ; 
D. G., 572-5, 624; D. I., 572; D. P., 

574, 580 ; Mrs. D. P., 436 ; Doris, 573 ; 
Elbud, 389 ; Edward, Elizabeth, 571 ; 
Ellen, 496 ; Emma, 572, 580; Ever- 
ette, 580; Fannie, 572-3, 580; God¬ 
frey, Greenberry, 574 ; Hancock, 571 ; 
Henry, 573 ; Hubert, 580 ; Ida, 572 ; 

575, 580, 588 ; Isaac, 571, 579 ; J. L., 
579 ; Jewell, 586 ; John, 571-3-4-6 ; 
Judith, 571; J. W., 572-9-80; Kate, 
572; Kendall, Letitia, 571; Lewis, 

571- 2-4-5; L. H., 574; Lovard, 574; 

L. W., 290, 572-5-80; Madison, 572- 
80 ; Mary, 496, 571-4-9-80 ; Martha, 
574-9; Mayberry, 580; N., 571-4; 

Polly, 300 ; Rachel, 574 ; Ramon, 572- 
80; R. F., 572-9; Richard, 571-3; 
R. M„ R. W., 579; Sallie, 574-78; 
Sarah, 572-4-9-80-88 ; Slaughter, 580 ; 
Susie, 574; S. W., 290, 572-9-83; 
Thomas, 571 ; Walter, 580; W. G„ 

572- 80-1 ; Winafred, 571-4; W. M„ 
572-80 ; W. H., 496 ; Wm., 299, 571-2 ; 
Wright, 579; W. W., 210-23-89, 569- 
71-2-4-5 ; Mrs. W. W., 435 ; Zachery, 
579 ; Zilpha, 571. 

Leggett, Elias, 380. 

Leslie, Bethany, 607; Jas., 388; Jack- 
son, 222 ; Sibby, 608; Silas, 607. 
Lester, Ben, 461. 

Leverette, J. P., 380. 

Lewis, Ada, Addie, Agnes, Anna, Angie, 
Annie L., 588; Abram, 153; Annie, 
470, 588 ; Ben, 587-8 ; B. C., 587-8 ; B. 
D., 295 ; B. T., 589 ; Clifford, 470, 588 ; 
Clarence, Cynthia, 588; E. H., 469, 
588 ; Elice, 578-88 ; Ella, 587 ; Ellen, 
Eva, 589; Elizabeth, 587; Eugenia, 
588 ; Mrs. E. H., 436; Georgia, 588 ; 
Hattie, Hubert, 588; Mrs. Henry, 
530; Ira, 589; J. A., J. D.,_ 588 ; Jas., 
287; Jasper, 586; Joe, 588; John, 
587 ; J. O., 589 ; J. R., 382, 586-7-8, 
605 ; J. T„ 589 ; J. W., 588 ; Lucretia, 

587 ; Lucy, 589 ; Lula, 545 ; Leila May, 

588 ; Lonnie, 589 ; Nora, Ollie, 588 ; 
Richard, 176, 286, 389, 587-8; R. J.» 
587-8 ; R. R., 588 ; Sarah, 380, 587-8 ; 
Thos., 288, 586-8; T. J., 577, 87-8; 
Mrs. Tom, 436 ; W. G., 470, 587-8. 

Lindsey, Annie, 381, 590; C. M., 290, 
■387; E. C., 289, 589; G. J., o89 ; Ger¬ 
trude, 590 ; H. G., 531 ; Homer, 469 ; 
Irene, 590; Isaac, 287-8, 589; Jas., 
287-8-9; J. B., 531; J. F., 287; 


Johnnie, 590; Julia, Julian, 590; 
J. W., 145-54, 262-89, 386-7, 499, 589- 
96 j Martha, 589 ; Mary, 531; Milton, 
275, 589; Mollie, 589; Sarah, Sam¬ 
uel, Susannah, 589 ; Waldo, 531; Wil¬ 
liam, 214, 531, 589. 

Little, W. G., 286-89-90. 

Lingo, J. T., Mrs. Gracie, 466; Mary, 
565. 

Lord, C. T., 290; Elizabeth, 387; F., 
161, 290; Jas., 210-25-87; John, 290- 
96, 388, 456-7; J. M„ 296; Martha, 
387; Molly, 380; Nancy, 383; P. Z., 
288 ; R. I., 389 ; Samuel, 388 ; S. J., 
387; Thos., 380; Wm., 156-69-76, 
214-25-86-99, 380-3-8-9, 457-8 ; W. R„ 
387. 

Logan, B., 380. 

Lofton, Elkanah, 150 ; Jeremiah, 170-1; 
Joel, 180. 210. 

Long, Martha, 568; Solomon, 568. 

Lovett, 179. 

Low, Jas., 161. 

Luttrell, Gary, 519. 

Lyles, Annie, 381. 

Lyster, Elizabeth, Thos., 505. 


M 


Mackey, Ceiny, 383; Eliza, 565; Re¬ 
becca, 380 ; Wm., 380-3, 565. 
Maddox, L., 288. 

Manderson. J., 291-9; Cynthia, 590; 
Susan, 552. 

Manson, C. E., 298; F. C„ 590; Mrs. 

O. W., 590, 627; Wm., 243-4. 

Mann, J., 388 ; Mary, 300. 

Marriage Records, 301-70. 

Martin, George, 385 ; John, 388 ; Sarah, 
385-8, 477. 

Mason, Ada, Augusta, Amanda, Cas¬ 
well, Fernando, J. A., Jos., Pauline, 
Sallie, Wm., 465; J. A)., J. N., 289; 
Theophilus, 297. 

Massey, Abel, Elizabeth, Sarah, 483; 
E. J., 241. 

Matthews, Dorcas, Mary, Wm., 388; 
Elizabeth, 388, 508 ; Levy, Martha, 
381; Robert, 557; W. C., 464; Mrs. 
W. C., 462-3. 


Mathis, A., 525 ; Elizabeth, 531; Jonas, 
161 ; Pressly, 161, 388. 

Maxwell, Mrs. H. H., 629. 

May, Jas., Lydia, 496; Enoch, Linnia, 
579 ; Patsey, 387. 

Mayo, Elizabeth, 389; Ely, Joseph, 
Sarah, 380. 

McArthur, A. L., C. A., Daniel, Jan- 
nette, J. F., Laura, Mary, R. S., L. 
R„ Sarah, T. J., 591-2-3 ; Emma, 438 ; 
J. J., 382, 593 ; John, 287-9, 382, 606 ; 
J. T., 288 ; Peter, 199, 286. 

McBride, L., 287; N, 290. 

McCardle, A. V., 180, 288; Mary, 389. 
McCant, Elizabeth, Emma, Florene, 
Bernice, J. A., Nell, Ruth, 578. 
McCarty, S. A., 288-9. 

McCook, Annie, 437; H., 608; J. B., 
287; Jos., 180, 288; Oathneel, 176 ; 


1 


640 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Reddick, 542 ; Sara, Slattie V., 437. 

McCullars, Benjamin, 389; Britton, 
145, 287. 

McGinty, Elizabeth, Jackson, Milly, 
Mary, Nancy, Robert, 594; Tabitha, 
381 ; Thomas, 182, 286-7, 380, 506 ; 
Washington, 381 ; Wm., 593-4. 

McGillivray-—Becomes Chieftain of the 
Creeks, 29 ; Estate in Ga. Confiscated, 
30; Alliance with the Spaniards, 31; 
Victory at Rock Landing, 35 ; Plans 
a Great Indian Nation, 35; In the 
Zenith of His Power, 44 ; Fall of, 45 ; 
Death, 51 ; Bowles, the Rival of. 

McGowin, Bunk, 225 ; Mary, 387; 
Noah, 225 ; Sarah, 387; Wm., 179, 
296. 

McIntyre, Archibald, 145, 288-90; De¬ 
borah, Katherine, 594; Sarah, 221, 
387 ; Thomas, 221; Town of, 222. 

McKee, H. G., 602. 

McKenzie, Frances, Nannie, 383; John, 
Nellie, 381. 

McLendon, Jane, 528; Job, 288; Ma¬ 
son, 292 ; Willis, 299. 

McMullen, J. A., J. E., 529. 

McNair, Fannie, Estelle, 570 ; Godfrey, 
John, 575. 

McNeal, Winney, 389. 

McRaeny, Catherine, 524; Norman, 
179, 287, 524. 

Meadows, G. W., 389 ; I. ,N., 570 ; Joel, 
291; J. E„ 459; Margaret, 473, Su¬ 
sanna, 389. 

Meredith, Chas., Clara, Dan, Doris, 
Elizabeth, Frank, John, J. F., Lu- 
cile, Mary, Nancy, Pleasant, Rebec¬ 
ca, Robert, Susanna, Sarah, Sophia, 
Virgil, Wyley, 595-6 ; John, 176, 388 ; 
Sam, 177, 290, 300, 595 ; Wyatt, 210- 
88-90. 

Mercer, Gerald, Gertrude, Lewis, Sal- 
lie, Silas, 456-7-8 ; Henry, 259, 383-4 ; 
John, Ann, 464 ; Martha, Hyman, 469 ; 
Nicy, 470. 

Methvin, E. E., 180; J. A. P., 569; 
Nancy, Thomas, 556 ; Sarah, 548. 

Miles, Abram, 289. 

Militia—Captains, 160, 161 ; Districts, 
159; Old Drill Grounds, 157; Com¬ 
manded by Wm. Cawley, 1813, 187 ; 
Rushed to Frontier, 1813, 187 ; In 
Blackshear’s Army, 187 ; Assembled 
at Hartford, 188 ; March Against 
Seminoles, 190; Ordered to Mobile, 
191 ; Rushed to Darien, 192; In 1861, 
227. 

Miller, Annie, 437, 507; Catherine, 
517; Chas., 529; Eric, 579; Enoch, 
535; E. T., 387; Frances, 387 ; 

Laura E., Lee, 579 ; J. N., 179, 529 ; 
Joel, 161; Mrs. J. S., 438 ; Marjorie, 
579 ; Martha, Mary, 387 ; Mattie, 529 ; 
Mollie, 579 ; S. S., 579 ; Taylor, 579 ; 
Thos., 529; Wiley, 176, 287, 385. 

Milligan, Bethel, 380: Mary, Robert, 
380. 

Mims, Wright, 287-8. 

Minton, Nancy, 456-7. 


Mize, W. E„ 580 ; Mrs. Lois, 572. 
Mitchell, B„ 286-9, 604-21 ; Hugh, 

John, 604 ; Isaac, 292, 535 ; Mildred, 
621 ; Robert, 603. 622; Ruth, 621; 
Thos., 161, 298; Wm., 604. 
Montgomery, Effie, 486 ; Wm., 465. 
Moore, A. H., 384; Harold, Hartwell, 
Millie, 381; Jesey, Jas., Zanna, 389; 
Daniel, 386 ; Mary, 459. 

Moreland, John, Jesse, 287, 291. 
Mooring, Jas., 286. 

Moses, Robert, 299. 

Mothershed, Levi, 383. 

Mott, Mary, 381. 

Morgan, Bennie, 578; Kizza, 564. 
Murpbey, Ambrose, 300 ; Effie, 545 ; J. 
B„ 180; M. N., 180, 214-22, 427; S. 
B„ 286-8-9. 

Murray, John, Mary, Sarah, 473. 

N 

Neal, James, 171, 180, 286, 289. 

Nelson, Martha, 383; R., 287; Sallie, 
530 ; Waid, Viney, 383. 

Nesbit, Alexander, 179, 202, 380, 476, 
489, 498, 596 ; Edna, 498, 597 ; Elbert 
F„ 596 ; Fleta, J., 476 ; 597 ; Olive B., 
596 ; Sarah J., 476, 489, 498, 596; 
Sarah Carol, 489, 597; Susannah 

Lindsey, 596. 

NeSmitli, Lee, 577. 

Newsom, Lucy, 292. 

Newspapers, 279. 

.Nixon, Mary, 293. 

Nobles, Lewis, 292. 

Noles, Anna Jane, 383. 

Norman, Candace, 381. 

Northcutt, Jane W., Helen W., Mary 
L. H„ Ralph, 544. 

Norton, Dr. A. R., Jonathan, Julia G., 
Marv Ann C., Susan Tallulah, Lt. 
Wm., 618-9. 

Nunn, Edmund, 288; John, 214, 300, 
552. 

Nyles, N. B„ 180. 

O 

O’Banion, Bryant, 176, 211, 223, 287-8- 
9 ; Elizabeth, 388 ; John, 294, 388. 
Oconee River, Navigation of, 140; 

First Steamboat on, 96. 

Oconee Wars—Expeditions of Benja¬ 
min Harrison, 59; Captain Stokes, 
60; Elijah Clarke Defeats Indians 
and Tories, 30 ; Gen. Twiggs, 58; 
Major Brenton Defeated, 60. 
Ockington, James G., 202. 

O’Daniel, W., 290. 

Odum, O., 389. 

Ogburn, Etheldred, 179, 242. 

Oglesby, Wm., 161. 

Ogletree, Wiley, 161. 

Oliver, J. A., 387 ; Eady, 388 ; Samuel, 
161. 

Olph, Minard F., 180. 

Oliphant, Mollie E., 572, 580. 

O’Neal, Wm., 144, 286-7. 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


641 


Osborne, Archibald, 615. 

Outlaw, Mary, 388, 577. 

Owens, Geo. A., 579; Nancy, 499; 

Perdita, 579 : Richard D., 579 ; Mrs. 
S. R., 435 ; Wm„ 388, 499. 


Pace, Mildredge, 388; Priscilla, 380; 

Win., 287, 380. 

Padgett, Mrs. Daisy R., 437. 

Palmer, Elizabeth, 381 ; Lucy, 548. 

Park, Martha, 628. 

Parker, C. H., 288 ; Mrs. Exie D., 500 
Henry Dell, H. C., 457 ; J. W., 243-4 
J. U., 289, 290 ; Pearl B., 457 ; T. H. 
179, 223; Wm„ 383. 

Passmore, Alexander, 295, 380 ; Ferely, 
387 ; Morah, 381; Sarah, 380. 

Pate Wm 389 

Patterson, Alfred, 598, 607 ; Andrew, 
Carrie, Cora I., Eliza, Gattie W., 
Ivey, James, Jefferson, John, Jo¬ 
seph, Lula, 598 ; Martha, 506 ; Mary, 
506, 598; Mattie A., Nancy, Ruben, 
Samuel, Sarah M., Silas, Wm., 597-8. 
Paul, Brice, 300. 

Paulk, Edna, John, Micajah, 533. 
Pavne, Geo., 223, 229, 287; Joseph, 
535; J. W., 180; Isham, 161; L. B., 
386 ; Martha, Sarah, 383 ; Sennia M., 
535; W„ 385; Wm., 176, 383; W. 
M., 387. 

Peach, Mrs. Geo. W., 574. 

Peacock, Chas., 275; Eli, 275, 289; 
Jesse, 286, 385; Katherine, 388; L. 
L., 288;. Levy, 291. 

Pearce, Daniel, 287, 301 ; Ira, 610, 
Thomas, 294. 

Pearsons, Jackson, 287; Janies, oOJ; 
John, 289 : Jonah G., 572 ; Mary, 60o ; 
Mrs. P., 530 ; Sarah, 388. 

Pennington, Mrs. Almeta D., 500 ; Au¬ 
gustus, 289 ; Beulah, 488 ; J. H„ 287. 
Philips, Isabella Frances, 625; Joseph, 
575 ; Martin G., 296 ; Sarah B., 575 ; 
Wiley C., 298, 575. 

Pickle, Michael R., 297. 

Picknin, Wm., 389. 

Pickren, Elizabeth, 506. 

Pierce, Daniel S., 176; E. C., -881, 
.Tames, 242; Jesse, 574; Joel T„ 287, 
289; Lovard, 574; Mrs. Raymond, 
530. 

Pike, Catherine, 621; Robert, 621. 
Pittman, Buckner, 288, 297 ; Harold S., 
600: James, 179, 288; J. A., </• 
B„ 223 ; J. H„ 599 : J. L„ 290, o99 ; 
J. M., 599 ; Jesse, 287 ; Obed Lee, bOO ; 
Oreila B., 600; Margie A. H., Mary 
E. G., 599 ; Philip, 153. 

Pitts, Abram, 179. 

Pixlev. Wm. R., ISO. 

Player, L. P., 288, 600 ; S. T., 180, 234, 
289, 532, 600 ; W. J., 288, 601. 

Pocon Robert, Mary, 388. 

PoHtics 162 ; 1812 to 1860, 200; Par¬ 
ties; Clark-Troupe, 200 ; Cumnnng- 
Carswell, 202; Democratic Conven¬ 


tion, 223 ; Democrats Regain Power, 
1872, 278 ; King-Troupe, 201; Seces¬ 
sion Convention Delegates Election, 
224; Union-States Rights, 201; 
Whig-Democratic, 202 ; Whigs-Dem- 
ocrats United, 223; White Voters 
Disfranchised, 273 ; Wilkinson Reso¬ 
lutions, 204. 

Polk, John, 291, 380, 388. 

Pool. Dave, 202; Mattie, 610 ; W. M., 
287 ; W. W„ 290. 

Poot, Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, 389. 
Porter, A. J., 288 ; Ambrose, Anna, 
Charles, Christian, 388; Dora, 602; 
Elizabeth, 388 ; Fannie B., 567 ; Isaac 
T., 388; J. F., 567, 602-3; Joseph, 
291 ; Julia, Julius, L. L„ 602 ; Lynch 
B„ 382; Mary C., R. T„ 388; Ruth, 
602 ; Taliaferro, 496 ; T. G., 548 ; T. 
R„ 602 ; W. T„ 602, 609 ; Wm., 382. 
Post Offices, Early, 213. 

Potts, Nancy, 462. 

Powell, G. S„ 436-7; Frances, 299; 
Harriet M„ 180; J., 389; John W„ 
607; Rhoda, 388. 

Prevatte, Minnie L., 570. 

Preece, Mrs. J. J., 435. 

Prescott, G. W., 385. 

Presswood, Katherine, 595 ; Polly, 388 ; 
Thomas T., 286-7. 

Price, Briton, 300 ; E. L., 590 ; TV. H., 


227. 

Pritchard, Mrs. L. J., 627. 

Proctor, Annie, Bernice, Fanny, Mary, 
Susan, Stephen, 380-1 ; Wm., 292, 
381 ; John, 154, 380-1. 

Prohibition, 278. 

Prosperity, Era, 194. 

Pruitt, Tom, 587. 

Pugh, David, 603; J. A. 

T.mii<sP Rlltb W.. 603 


622 ; Julia, 

Qvntha 


Q 


Quinley, W., 548. 


R 


labb, James, 287. 
lagan, Brice, 214; Nina 562 
laiford, Augustus B., 289, 290. 
lailroads—Canal Proposed, 219 ; Cen¬ 
tral of Georgia, 218; Destroyed by 
Sherman’s Army, 222; Routes Sur¬ 
veyed, 219, 220 ; Transportation Prob¬ 
lems, 194. 

Raley, Henry W„ 287. 

Rammage, Josiah, 383. 

Ramsey, Lewis J., Nancy, 38J. 
Randolph, Wm., 144, 286. 
lay, Charles, 145, 286, 288 ; J- N., 1/9. 
Rawls, J. R., 289: O. H. P., 287, 289. 
Reaves, Anna, 383. 

Reconstruction Days, 273; Democrats 
Regain Power, 278 ; Federal Soldiers 

Arrest Citizens, 275; K. K. K. Or¬ 
ganized, 274 ; Klan s Last Meeting, 
277; Racial War Threatened, 274. 



642 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


Records Burned, 1828, 1854 ; Moved to 
Irwinton, Saved in 18(54, 211. 

Reed, Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher, 384. 
Rees, L. D., 179. 

Register, 437. 

Revolutionary and Post Revolutionary 
Period, 29. 

Rice, Augustus H., 287; Chas., 464; 
Susan, 294. 

Ridley, Everett, 296; H. B„ 290; 

Nancy, Robert, 388. 

Rigby, Jonathan, 299 ; Charles, 286-7 ; 
Geo. S., 559; John, 287-8; Joseph, 
298, 383; Tempey, 383. 

Richardson, Annie, 528; C. H., 290; 

James, 161 ; Joseph, 557. 

Rivers, Betsy, Eliza, 606; Elizabeth, 
605 ; Gillie, 606 ; J., 290 ; Jack, 606 ; 
Joel, 176, 202, 233, 289, 290, 382, 587, 

592, 605; Jona, 386 ; Jonathan, 223, 

286-7 ; Polly, 605 ; Richard, 605-6 ; 
Sarah, 587, 605; Win., 241, 605; 

Winnifred, 592, 606. 

Roach, John, 381. 

Robson, Lucius I., 180. 

Roberson, Lleuellyn, 171 ; Wm., 384. 
Roberts, Benjamin, 599; James, 599; 
W. F„ 385. 

Robertson, James, 388; J. L., 290; 
Ruth, 388. 

Robinson, A. T., 388; Georgia, 593; 
James, 161, 593 ; Lewellen, 286 ; Wm., 

593. 

Rock Landing Becomes Trading Point, 
46. 

Rogers, Elizabeth, 586; Hope, 384; 

Noel, 578 ; Wiley, 384 ; W. F., 382. 
Roland, David, 171, 287. 

Ross, F. D., 178; Henry, 388; James, 
162, 176, 288, 290, 533; John, 162, 
164, 382, 387-8, 491, 533 ; Joseph, 286, 
289, 388; J. F„ 180; Nancy, 533; 
Polly, 388 ; Margaret, 180, 388; Su¬ 
sanna, 533 ; W T m., 533. 

Rozar, Albert, 578 ; A. R., 624-5-6 ; A. 
H„ A. V., 625; E. J., 223, 247; 
Franklin, 626 ; L. A., 625; Mabel, 
578 ; Mattie, 577 ; M. W., 626 ; Nancy, 
625, 626 ; Robert, 176, 214, 287, 289, 
293, 625-6; R. F., 177, 287, 625; R. 
L„ 626; Sara B., 572; Terlulu, 625. 
Rumph, Susie M., 544. 

Rupel. Margaret, 388. 

Russell, Elizabeth, 574; Emiliiie, 576 ; 

Gustavus, 576 ; John M., 180. 

Rustin, John, Lewisa, Rachel, 380. 
Rutherford, Annette, Ben, Bertha, Bes¬ 
sie, Bunk, Carrie, Charles, Cornelia, 
Elbert, Eleanor, Elvinia, Emma, 
Emmet, Evelyn, Fannie M., Frank, 
Georgia, Green, J. F., J. L., J. N., 
Kathleen, Lester, Levada, Louis, 
Lula, Luna, Maggie, Pearl, Pauline, 
Rebecca, Ruth, Sara, Wm., Willie, 
577-8; John, 292. 

Ryan, John, 380. 

Rye, Ambrose, John, 602; Joseph, 161; 
Lucinda, Mary, Sarah, 602. 


Ryle, B. F„ 606-7; D. J., 607; J. R., 
387; John, 293, 296 ; Joshua, 380, 
606 ; Louisa, 613 ; Mary, Matilda B., 
Patience S., 606 ; Wm., 382 ; W. B., 
227, 606 ; W. N„ 180, 255, 424, 426. 


S 

Sanders, A. I., 608 ; Mrs. Arvilla, 437; 
Bethany, 549, 550, 563; Cora, 608; 
Colson, 383, 388; Daniel, 275, 388, 
608 ; Emma T., 608 ; Elender, 387; 
Elizabeth, 380, 383; Etta, 535; Eu¬ 
nice, 609 ; Frances, 388 ; Francis M., 
608; Dr. Franklin, 548, 607; Gillie, 
607 ; Govey B., 608; Henry, 380; I. 
D., Irene, 608; Isabella, 387; James 
W„ J. F., Joel J., 608; J. T., 609; 
John W., 607 ; K. A., 608 ; King, 
426, 549, 550, 563, 607; L. F., 608; 
Malachi, 380, 550, 607-8 ; Margaret, 
607-8 ; Mary A. E., 608 ; Minnie, 549, 

607 ; Missouri, 548, 607 ; M. T„ N. A., 

608 ; Narcissa C., 469, 608 ; Patience, 
607 ; Rebecca, 388 ; R. L., 436, 438 ; 
R. M., 608 ; Samuel, 388 ; Sarah, 383, 
388, 607; Silas J., 608; Thurman, 
288, 436, 608 ; Tom, 381 ; Willie, 387 ; 
W. J., 424, 607-8; Winnie B„ 563, 
607. 

Salter, Frances, F. M., 387; Henry, 
Hulda, I. F., Jane, 387; L. F., 180 ; 
Macey, 387 ; Robert, 161 ; Sarah, 387. 
Sapp, Charles H., 469. 

Savage, Solomon, 381. 

Saville, J. C., 389, 390. 

Sawyer, Cader, 388. 

Scarborough, Ichabod, 300, 388 ; Sarah, 
388. 

Schall, Jacob, Julia, Margaret, 487. 
Schmidt, Anna, Lena, 578. 

Schools, County Academy, 169, 170, 
172 District, 175-6-7 ; Black Creek, 
Cool Springs, Griffin D., Harrison, 
High Hill, Lafayette, Liberty Hill, 
Mt. Pleasant, Turkey Creek, Union 
Hill, Washington Academies ; Early, 
168; Early Teachers, 170; First 
Brick School House, 171; Poor, 173; 
Talmage Institute, 172, 177, 178. 
Scott, Benjamin L., 286 ; J., 387. 

Sears, Eli, 176, 177, 210, 295; Henry 
J., 384. 

See, Anthony, 161. 

Shaws, J. D., 180. 

Sheffield, J. A., 290. 

Shepherd, Andrew, 288 ; Ann, 380 ; Ber¬ 
ry B., 383; Hamilton, 180; Henry, 
James, 545 ; John, 161 ; Joshua, 387 ; 
J. M., 290 ; Mary, 380, 388 ; Maryan, 
389 ; Nancy, 383; .Nathaniel, 389; 
Pieman, 545 ; Sarah, 380 ; Susan W’., 
545 ; Wiley, 179, 287, 380, 383 ; Wm. 
J., 383. 

Sheror, James, 380. 

Sherrard, Robert, 182. 

Shofner, Jacob, 299. 

Showes, Jacob, Polly, 381. 

Shinholster, John, 299, 517 ; Geo., 176, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


643 


296; Mrs. Mary, 296. 

Shirien, Theodoshis, 381. 

Sikes, Matthew, Wiloby, 388. 

Simmons, John F., 171, 286, 289, 300, 
T. A., 274-5; Virginia Claire, 481 ; 
Zadock, 291. 

Simonton, Mrs. Elsie, 572 ; Lewis, 580. 
Simpson, Gussie, 469; Jesse, 293; J. 
H„ 524. 

Sinclair, Martha, 180. 

Sinquefield, John, 570. 

Sisterheim, Madge Hicks, 545. 

Skelton, Bessie, 562. 

Skipper, Alma, 488. 

Slade, Hannah E., 629. 

Slavery and Plantations, 205 ; Loyalty 
of, 265 ; Murrel’s Band, 207 ; Patrols, 
209 ; Runaways, 207 ; Slave Stealing, 
207. 


Slaughter, Elizabeth, 580 ; Robert, 570 ; 
Wm, 161. 

Smallwood, Wm., 427. 

Smith, Agnes, 301 ; Allen, 297, 625; 
Archibald, 176, 179, 296, 388, 587; 

C. A., 469; C. D„ 227; C. 0., 290; 
David, 382, 385, 387-8-9, 554, 597; 

D. D., 494 ; D. N., 290 ; D. W„ 210 ; 
Elizabeth, 383; Elmer, 603; Emma 
B., 457 ; Etholene, 610 ; Eugenia, 580 ; 
Francis M., 298 ; Fred C., 384 ; Geo. 
D., 494; Grafton, 544; Griffin, 295, 
297; Helen Virginia, 494; James, 
216, 299 ; Jane E., 494; Jeremiah, 
179; Jesse, 287-8; Joel A., 287, 289, 
290, 565 ; John, 156, 177, 180, 286, 298, 
385, 457 ; Kate, 625 ; Larkin, 179; 
Lewis, 383 ; Linsey, 496 ; Lydia Wil¬ 
liams, 597 ; Marion, 530 ; Mary, 625 ; 
Max, 560; Moses, 161 ; M. G., 289, 
290, 541 ; Rebecca, 545 ; R. S„ 290 ; 
Robert, 179; Sadie, 560; Sampson, 
299; Samuel, 387; Sapha, 388; Sa¬ 
rah Ann, 387; “Shoog,” 276; Silas, 
387; Susan Caroline, 625; Susanna, 
388 ; Wm., 196, 293, 296, 298, 388; 
W. B., 176; W. W., 388. 

Snell, Eva, 488. 

Snow, Sarah, 383. 

Solomon, Charley, 275; David, 222, 
233, 241 ; H. A., 223; Henry, 255; 
Malinda, 233. 

Spears, James, 557; Jesse Warns 
Georgians of Indian Attacks, 29; 
Joshua, 161 ; Lewis, 177 ; R. E., 290. 
Speedier, L., 387. 

Speight, John, 154. 

Spence, A. W., 289; Jincy, John, 383; 
Thomas, 294, 383. 

Spivey, Elizabeth, 389; Win., 389. 
Stanford, Wm., 381. ' 

Stanley, Claude, Eddie, Elizabeth, 
James, James H. D., Jennie, John, 
J J., Louisa, Mary, Nathaniel, Na¬ 
than Thos., Oliver, Pearcy, Pru¬ 
dence Ann, 609-10; R. A., 174, 180, 
223, 231 ; R. R., Sarah, Susanne, 
Winnifred, 610; J. T., 289; Lucy, 
593 

Stanberry, Malora, 627. 


Stapleton, G. T., 287. 

Starley, Ann, 384. 

Starr, D. E„ 385 ; Hiram, 213, 291. 
Statham, Elizabeth, 628 ; Wm., 214. 
Steamboat, The First on Oconee River, 
96. 

Steele, Wm., 461. 

Steely, Wm., 383. 

Stephens, A., 382; Aibram, 287; Bart¬ 
ley G., 505; Elizabeth M., 483; 

Gracy, 508; H. E., 384, 611 ; Mrs. 
H. E„ 558 ; Isaac, 383; James, 483, 
611 ; John, 294, 483, 508 ; Joseph, 381 ; 
Letha, 383; Martha H., Mary E., 
612; Rachel, 381; Virginia P., 611. 
Stevens, Abraham, 287; Bartley, 429, 
505; Bethany, 530; B. I., 275, 288, 
290, 427; Bower, 464; Cely, 381 ; 
D. J., 290 ; Edmond, 292 ; Eliza, 505 ; 
Hamp, 389; lone, 464; Isaac, 295; 
James, 225, 505; John, 295; Lewis, 
505 ; M., 389 ; Margaret E., Martha 
C., Mary A., Mary E., Mitchell, 505 ; 
Sarah, 381, 505; Thos., 505; V. P., 
463; Wm., 505, 559. 

Stewart, Hardy, 214; Mary, 508. 
Stinson, I. B., 287-8, 469 ; Tilpha, 388. 
Stokes, Eva Mae, 613; F. W., 613-14; 
Israel, 619; J. A., 613; Mrs. J. A., 
424; J. E., J. T., Myrtle, Nina, 613; 
Rebecca, 388 ; Ruth, 613; Wm., 297, 
388; W. H„ 613. 

Stoneman’s Raiders, 258. 

Story, R. L„ 178, 235, 290, 386. 
Stripling, F. M., 584; Maggie, 579; 

Marie Ann B., 584 ; Mary Lizzie, 438. 
Strong, John H., 180; Martha, 628. 
Stuckey, Benjamin J., 294; F. F., 180; 
Hannah Ann, Liza, 383 ; Nelson, 211, 
384; R. J., 290; Sabrinie, 384; S. J., 
210, 247, 287 ; Starling, 293; Wm., 
154, 180. 

Summerford, Katie, 547. 

Sublette, Lala, 580. 

Swearinggame, Moses, 388. , 

T 

Tabb, Elmo, 524; James, 223, 161. 
Taliaferro, Lydia, 380; John, 291, 380. 
Tarpley. Ann, 523; Edwin, 292; E. J., 
385, 523; G. W., 287-8, 386; J. R. 
Leander, 523 ; Mary, 524; Thos., 288, 
523, W. E„ 524. 

Taylor, Ardilsia, 548 ; Casander, 388 ; 
Frances, 473; Isaac, 298, 473; Jas., 
288-9-95, 473 ; John, 295 ; Mary, 602 ; 
Rebecca, Robert, 473 ; Tabytha, 380; 
Thos., 297 ; Wm., 161, 178-9, 244, 
388 ; Zachery, 571 ; Sophiah, 180. 
Temples, Almeta, 500; John, 240, 288; 

L. H., 288; Sarah, Thos., 500. 
Thigpen, Elizabeth, 387, 535; W. I., 
252. 

Thomas, A. G., 387 ; John, 287 ; Katie, 
548 ; Jas., 292 ; M. F„ 458 ; Rebecca, 
389. 

Thompson, C. C., 288, 389; J. D., 389; 
John, 293-8; S. L., 473; Ann, Ed- 


644 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


ward, 546 ; Mattie, 561 ; Daniel, 473; 
Solomon, 299; Wm., 383; Nicholas, 
170; Nelson, 161; J. R., 243; Rus¬ 
sell, 225. 

Tilly, Jane, 576; J. W., 576; L. L., 
574. 

Tigner, Homer, 529, 615; G. Y., 614; 
Geo., 617; Jas., 615; Jimmie, 529; 
Lamar S., 529, 612-14; Mary, 529, 
614-5; Martha, 615; Philip, 616; 
Robert, 529, 615 ; Thos., 617 ; Virgil, 
529 ; W. A., 529, 614 ; Y. F., 615. 
Tindall, A., 383, 578; Anna, Cordie, 
Ola, Rufus, Vera, Wm., 578; D. E., 
290. 

Tinsley, Lucy, Sarah, 615 ; Mrs. W. P., 
437. 

Todd, Electa, 548 ; Jas., 292 ; Jane C., 
617; J. C. C., 617; Mrs. J. N., 627; 
John, 478 ; Julia N„ 617 ; J. W„ 295 ; 
Mary, 617-8; Patrick, 617; Sarah, 
619; J. J., 179, 227, 247; A., 180; 
F„ 180. 

Tomberlin, Maria, Betsy, 496; John, 
175, 214. 

Toombs, Escape of, 271. 

Tomlinson, Mattie Gay, 572. 
Toomsboro, 221. 

Trapnell, Annie H., 547. 

Tribble, Elizabeth, John, Sete, Rodeo, 
Queen, 387. 

Trulock, Mary, 575. 

Triplett, Frances, Polly, 574; Jane, 
571. 

Tucker, B„ 388 ; J. R„ Julia, 590 ; Nel¬ 
lie, Tom, 483. 

Turner, T. R„ 291 ; John, 161. 

Twiggs, Co., Created, 151. 

U 

U. D. C., Robert Toombs Chapter, 436 ; 

Wilkinson Co., Chapter, 437. 
Underwood, Benjamin, 380 ; Bill, 428 ; 
Elizabeth, 380; John, 295; Junney, 
380 : Matthew, 297 ; Thos., 292, 380, 
179 ; Sarah, 380-1 ; W. J., 427 ; Wm., 
380. 

Usery, John, 214, 389; Lucia, 472; 
Welcome, 180, 210, 389 ; J. B., 179-80. 

V 

Valentine, Jesse, 488 ; John, 426; Levi, 
291 ; Lina Luther, 488 ; Wm. N., 424. 
Van Buren, James R., 290. 

Vann, John D., 180. 

Vandiver, Hannah, Lampkin, Mrs. 

Lampkin, Nancy, 389. 
VanLandingham, Celia, 535 ; Elizabeth, 
535, 538; John, 179; Jethro, 275; 
Peter, 385 ; Sarepta, 523; Wm., 535 ; 
W. R„ 523. 

Vaughn, Eliza, 595; Jesse, 214, 292; 
Jesse’s Jug of Gold, 216; John, 388; 
Mary, 388 ; Nancy, 388. 

Veal, Wm., 384. < 

Vincent, Charlotte, 295; Levin, 300; 

Wiley, 295; Wm., 289, 296. 

Vinson, Elijah, 293. 


W 

Wadkins, (Watkins) Delphia, 503;. 
Mary, Richard, Sally, Thos., 387; 
Wm., 570. 

Wall, J. N., 243: Mrs. W. T., 564. 

Walker, D. C., 180; Joshua, 289; Pen¬ 
elope, J. M., 562. 

Walters, Alice, 577; Caroline, 180; 
Elizabeth, 388; J. R., 179; Mary, 
509; Richard, 288; Thos., 180. 

War of 1812—Wilkinson County’s Part 
In — Blackshear’s Army Marches 
Against Seminoles, 190 ; Blackshear’s 
Army Ordered to Mobile, 191 ; Black¬ 
shear’s Army Rushed to Darien, 192 ; 
Civil War Among the Creeks, 185 ; 
Creek Indians Begin War, 185; In¬ 
dian Alarms in Wilkinson, 186;. 
Militia Assembled at Hartford Un¬ 
der Gen. Blackshear, 188; Militia 
Rushed to Frontier, 187; Militia 
Under Wm. Cawley, 187 ; Seminoles 
Threatened Hartford, 189. 

War Between States—Companies in 
Georgia Militia—Battle of Atlanta, 
258 ; Co. D. 8th Ga„ 258 ; Co. H. 2nd 
Ga., 258; Griswoldville, 258; Com¬ 
panies in Western Army : Co. D, I, 
and K, 57th Ga. Reg., Armed With 
Shotguns, 235 ; Assignment of, 235 ; 
Atlanta, 237; Baker’s Creek, 235; 
History by James H. Freeman, 237 ; 
Kennesaw Mountain, 237 ; Organized, 
235 ; Surrendered at Goldsboro, N. C.,- 
237; Trained at Camp Harrison, 
235 ; Vicksburg, 236; 49th Ga. Reg. 
Co. A., 234 ; At Wilderness, 255 ; Gal¬ 
lantry at Second Manassas, 251 ; In 
Pickett’s Charge, 253; Four Com¬ 
panies in Army of Northern Vir¬ 
ginia ; Appomattox, 256 ; Assign¬ 
ment of, 234; Cedar Run, 250 ; Cold. 
Harbor, 249 ; Chancellorsville, 252 ; 
Crater, 256 ; Frazier’s Farm, 249; 
Gettysburg, 253; Mechanicsville, 
249; Second Manassas, 250; Seven 
Days Battle, 249; Spottsylvania, 
256 ; Wilderness, 255 ; 14th Ga. Reg. 
Co. B (Ramah Guards) 232; At 
Wilderness, 255 ; In Pickett’s Charge, 
253 ; Third Georgia, 229 ; At Malvern 
Hill, 231; At Gettysburg, 232; Ban¬ 
ner Saved at Appomattox, 257 ; Bat¬ 
tles of, 232 ; Co. F (Wilkinson Rifles) 
229 ; Co. I (Carswell Guards), 231; 
Saluted by Pres. Davis, 231. 

War Times In Wilkinson—Battle at 
Oconee Bridge, 267 ; Destitute Fam¬ 
ilies Aided by County, 240, 243-4-5-6 ; 
Homes Pillaged, 265-6; Irwinton 
Burned by Sherman’s Army, 262; J. 
R., Kelly Defies Sherman’s Army, 
260 ; Lightwood Knot Bridge Burned, 
266; Loyalty of Slaves, 265 ; Salt 
Famine, 241 ; Sherman’s Army Ar¬ 
rives, 260 ; Skirmish at Ball’s Ferry, 
267 ; Smallpox Epidemic, 241 ; Stone- 
man’s Raiders, 258 ; Value of Slaves, 


HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY 


645 


2 to; War Heroines, 2(58-9; Way- 
side Homes, 209. 

Ward, J., 389 ; Juncy, 388 ; J. H„ Mary, 
508. 

Ware, A. D„ 384, 012 ; G. A., 537 ; Jas., 
380; J. M„ 280; L. M„ Mary E„ 
537. 

Warren, A. L., 297; Eli, 492; Josiah, 
490-2; Margaretan, 388; Robert, 
101; Rachel, 490; S. A., 179 ; Lott, 
492. 

Washington, S. H., 230. 

Whtts, Elna, Emmett, Horace, H. A., 
Mandelle, Sallie, 450-7. 

Weaver, J. W., 288. 

Webb, Dawson, Dewey, Francis, Mar¬ 
tha, 388 ; Elizabeth, 543 ; Priscilla, 
James, 505. 

West, Isaac, 023; Joshua, 300; Jos., 
010 ; M., 389. 

Whalen, Daniel, 387. 

Wheeler, Billing, 528 ; Jas., 598 ; Sam¬ 
uel, 290; Susan, Neri, 552. 

W f hipple, Allen, Anna, B. A., Clifford, 
Daniel, Eleazer Frances, G. A., Lu¬ 
cian, Mary, John, Oliver, Preserved, 
Robert, Ruth, Sarah, U. V., W. S., 
019-20-1-2 ; Ruth M., 003; Stephen, 
294, 003, 021-2. 

Whitaker, Fanny, 389; Frances, 388; 
Richard, 171, 293, 388-9; Thos. R., 
382, 000. 

W T hite, Frances, 400 ; J. B., 299 ; Mrs. 

L. M„ 435; Margaret, 553. 
Whitehead, Martha, Priscilla, Reason, 

559. 

Whitehurst, Chas., 293, 023; Christi¬ 
ana, Cincinnatus, Easter, Elizabeth, 
Georgia, H. L., Jackson, J. I., J. L., 
J. S., Laura, Louisa, M. A., M. B., 

M. L., W. D., 023-4; Julia P., 572, 
024 ; Josiah, 202 ; L. W., 292 ; W. M., 
202, 223, 205, 287, 290, 382, 023; 
Thos., 275, 023 ; Thulia, 024 ; Z., G25. 

Wilkinson County, Acts of 1794 to Sur¬ 
vey Lands, 92 ; Attempts to Change 
Name of, 152; Changed to Ocrnul- 
gee Circuit, 149; Created, 133; 
County Site Location, 150-1-3-4; 
Extended to Ocmulgee, 139; First 
Officers, 144-5; Fractions of Land 
Lots Sold Fraudulently, 142 ; Fraud¬ 
ulent Land Speculators, 141; Gov¬ 
ernment Organized, 144; In Middle 

Circuit, 145; Land Lottery, 134; 
Militia Organized, 143; New Coun¬ 
ties Carved, 147, 151 ; Property 


Divided Between Wilkinson and 
Twiggs, 152 ; Settlers Alarmed by In¬ 
dians, 143; Early, 134-5-0, 140; Or¬ 
ganized for Protection, 142 ; Va. and 
Carolina, 102 ; The First Court, 145. 
Wilkinson, Gen. James B., 117. 

Wills, Extracts of, 291-2-3-4. 

Wiggins, Osborne, 280-7-9 ; J. R., 214. 
Wilcox, Jas., 292. 

Wicker, Win., 150. 

Wilenski, E„ 559. 

Wilkinson, Mary, 380. 

Williams, A. S., Bessie, Damarious, 
Deacon, Florimel, Ernest, Graybill, 

G. W., Isaac, Israel, J. L., Julia, 

Louise, Marvin, Mary, Maude, Min¬ 
nie, P. C., Ray, Robert, W. C., W. 
P., W. R., 027-8-9; Bessie, 552; 
Bentley, 578 ; Bethel 381 ; Elizabeth, 
381-028 ; Hezekiah, 380 ; J. F„ 289 ; 
J. R„ 384; J. W„ 028; Julia, 002; 
Mary, 388; Margaret, 577; Mrs. 
Marvin, 591, 027; Patsy, Polly, 

Rachel, Samuel, 380; Richard, 294; 
Robert, 381 ; Samuel, 280; Sarah, 
388 ; Washington, 295; W'. C., 002; 
Wilson, 101 ; Wynelle, 580. 

Williamson, Francis, 101; Susanna, 
595. 

Willis, Mary, 381. 

WTllums, Walter, J. W., 573. 

Wilson, J. T. J., Samuel, Sarah, 502. 
Winderweedle, Henry, 217. 

Wise, Daniel, 101. 

Witt, Martin, 300; Jacob, 298. 

Wright, Chas., 280 ; J. T., 295 ; G. W., 
288 ; Lucy, 544 ; Solomon, 214 ; T. G., 
382 ; Win., 101 ; Daniel, Frank, Jas., 
Martha, Mattie, Mink, Rachel, Wil¬ 
lie, 578; Eva, Gladys, Kate, O. J., 
011. 

Wood, Annie, Ethel, Laura, Orian, 

H. C., Rosa, 027 ; A. J., 291 ; Emma, 
590, 027; Ethel, 481 ; Georgia, 008; 
H„ 409 ; John, 381 ; Jos., 530 ; J. S., 
290, 481, 590, 027; Mollie, 588; Su¬ 
sannah, 381 ; W. C., 587. 

Woodall, Lalah, 509; Georgia, 508. 
Wriley, 221. 

Y 

Yarborough, J. A., 290 ; R. B., 427. 
Yawn, Sara, 593. 

Young, Charles, 280, 381; Jas., 287; 

Martha, 381 ; W. 0., 384. 

Youngblood, Joe, 289, 294; P. T., 211. 
Yopp, S. W., 290. 























■ 

. 

' 1 






























■ 



. 




































































































\ rjv 


v> tK C-s * v£> 


e^o 


$ 



s A° . 4 <\ ' * * s 

-0 y 

o *f s' 

i : 





o 

° 


o ^ O^ - 

97777,. - ^ <9 'vt°fo' x x # 

* * o, ^ V * * * 0 A V * Y * 0 

V <A oTv^^/Oo ^ ,\A \. r rA^^A ) <, ° "On O 

° y/>« * :^y -^v/% ° </> <^ • °, 9 p ^ 



2: 


o cb ^ • -‘ 

a# * • 

y * v * 0 a <2 



. _ 9 / °- 

, V. 

%- a ,- - ~ • 


■% r? 


& 


A° r <* ^**s 

^ G° v * Y * 0 ' r° v * 

■^. ^ AIA . ^ <jt * 

*" ^ °- : » 

s- v f c o., "r::P\^ <*>'* 

* %, .*, - 







'«. y>, 9 


\P 


^ aG 



v v * 


c5> J ^j=|llil:f=^ « cS x^. 

* / y % ^SP,* r # y •, 

*/ * *S' A° . , <y ''s *'* S s 

^V V * n N^. 



**' ^"Z'.X'"'^'"*' ^ "" rQ , - 

^ : mmm ° . 

, - .„. * y 1 «* '.SSy y 1 ^ '. 

%' '**"'</■* t.., °v < • * ’' >9 ,.., %"' * ■*"' ^*,. . 

^ cvNWw - »v/9 >A 71 v 




V * 0 , 





^ A> 

cS > ^1,11^ O cS ^ ^^ilPUpii!^^ o cS -» 

y- ^ y '&&*,& y % 

„'' A 6 ^ y> <- *t..s' A C ' ^ ♦^..s 

(?,y*;A . o°yy, ‘.y.% <f^l°/>'^- 

* *aia:= -^ 0 <t :mA\ -'mw/ y-o' 

° «y -. 



c o ,'' <.. s s y 


' oF r. '■ 



V 4 0 / ^ 

*: ; 



y y ., 


j> <f 


^ ^V<> y- 

tP^ X“v - n ^ w -",/ /( * ^ o >r y* 05 

O cS y^>. -j 

^^ r # % y % 

V'** 

^ - - - * 


« cS " 



o> a. - 

-fe vr ^ *■ 



*o 

> * 0 / ^ ri 

^/lV ^ a A . A W/k ^ Vp V 
® 9y \v « A N v^./% 0 N?n ,<\ x 

5 » ^ 


0 <c 

r V v ' : 


'V ^ 



" y y, , 


<y 


X 


-v* r # 

**S> A G V 

° z 

c <L> Q 


0 F ^ 



0° 


'‘y ? % /ft * s \>\^ Y \ 0 ^°% ' ** S v^\ Y v ^ 

^ :£!$£/)k' % o % ^ 


,v ^ y 1 


s 0 A 

' - 

° z 9 p Kr : 

o cS A -- 

* # ^ y 

1 « 

^ , 0 V ^ ' * 0 a v^ , 

® ^ o x - c z 


\> ^ \ 










































^ , cs . * 

%/’ ^ % 
^ ^ T « 5, % ^ 




v> 



^ * S 3 ^ ^ ■/ 

\ V d* .' 



H o. 


5$" * 


O ' •* * * s s 'Of 

V * < * 0 /; % 

* V 



03 





t 


•0 





o 1 T 


y * o „ "v* 


Os '', 





o cS 
- *$? ^ 

* 'AW ' 0 \ 0 t ; 


£ <* 



- % ^ .’■ 
° < 0 .^ - 


A <p 

v •%. 

° ^0 

<r $ ^ * k- , 

•fe. \> » 1 * 0 , _ 


s'' sV" 

\> „ V 



* ^ ^ 



0 


° cS ^\. 

• sV * 





o cS ^ 

A •%> % 
- v /. 



'» % A 


O CD yPS 

^ -<*? < 


.V^T'' # v '%^7®Ts'V y ^Ws* A 

+"*' <° ** -o' *' , °°'\% p " (?■ r *y°'.'\ “ o°" ’■ v * 0 

(£. o' - £MM&\ ^ -*|;ai| , ° ’^t-o^ * 

H O 


>. v' 


." r % 


,, 7«'^ s <A o 0 '',,„ 

V o ^ 6 0 / •• ^ 


^ « T 



',% ' ■ V 



lS V 


J 5 *S S ^ % 

, _ ^ r <?y ^ > 

✓*“ ' J ft ft S "* <* . ' / ft * s S ^ ^ / ft ft s s A' 

w *% o° v /i 4 ;^ o°- c? s" 

“ ' ■ ■ ^ \o^ . 



N 


CL 







> = r ft 9 *- ^ , 

1 (/■ *v V 



* s 

Q c3 

* oV -V> V- % 

,.., V'**' S 0^ 6 '.., V /; *' S 'o^ Y.,, V'** 

u f rO ^ f 'O) rVJ <J- u /• Up ^ 


3 A > 







° <C^ , - 

♦ o r 

'<7.;'\f ,-. s' v. 

V v ^ ' * », ■% V> * v * 0 - -o 

!ft & % .<*, ,>y A v %. 

I ?jSsM/7k° °!r< 



^ 7/ .1 



%>„ A' 



»' ^ •'.<%' r ‘ , 'y** ^^i 777 " VT' ; .>J' T ‘ '' '/ ' 

° —- -- - -f\ n>^ /i- ^ <; *- rA^w Ai -C 

^ O' 






cP 


V/> V 


<: C3 X/ ^ Tft S s \V 

^ V 























































































































